China's peak electricity load climbed to a record high of 1.518 billion kilowatts on Friday, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
The figure was 10 million kilowatts higher than the previous record, the NDRC said, adding that multiple provincial-level regions, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Ningxia and Gansu, have also reported record-high power loads since the start of summer.
"This figure has far exceeded the combined maximum load of the United States, Japan and Russia. As the 'command center' of the national power grid operation, the State Grid dispatching center operates 24/7 without interruption, fully ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power grid and the smooth and orderly supply of electricity," said Zhou Ji, deputy chief engineer at the national dispatching and control center under the State Grid.
As China's top economic planner, the NDRC attributed the nationwide surge in power consumption to multiple factors, including robust industrial demand driven by the rapid growth of high-tech manufacturing, new energy vehicles, and computing equipment.
The service sector, including battery charging and internet data services, also contributed to the surge in power consumption, while increased air-conditioner use played a part as well, the economic planner said.
"One of the major features of this year's electricity load is the significant increase. It is estimated that the highest electricity load across the country this summer will reach around 1.6 billion kilowatts, an increase of about 90 million kilowatts compared to that of last year. It also has a wide range of influence. According to the forecast of the China Meteorological Administration, the temperature in most parts of the country will be higher than normal in July this year, which will lead to a rapid increase in electricity load in many provinces, and the duration of the peak may further increase," said Tian Lei, director of the economic center under the Energy Research Institute, NDRC. In recent years, China has made major strides in power infrastructure, helping ensure a stable electricity supply during peak periods and effectively supporting economic and social development as well as meeting people's basic needs, the NDRC said.
China's total installed power generation capacity reached 4.01 billion kilowatts by the end of May 2026, according to data from the National Energy Administration. The figure puts China at the top of the world by this measure.
China's power load hits record high
