China Power Load Hits Early Record as Data, EV Demand Rises
(Bloomberg) -- China’s nationwide electricity load reached a record high for the first time this year on July 10, hitting 1.518 billion kilowatts, the National Energy Administration said in a statement posted on its official WeChat account Saturday.
The load, which exceeded the previous peak of 1.508 billion kilowatts set on July 17, 2025, has risen by more than 150 million kilowatts since the start of July, an increase the agency said was roughly equivalent to Japan’s power load. The regulator said it is directing local authorities under province-specific plans to ensure power supplies in both routine and emergency scenarios.
Electricity consumption by internet data services rose 44.6% in the first five months of the year, while charging and battery-swapping services recorded growth of 56.8%, highlighting strong demand from parts of the digital and low-carbon economy, the NEA said. Electricity demand has remained strong this year, while the national energy and power supply situation has generally remained stable, according to the statement. No region has implemented demand-response measures or orderly power-use measures.
As China enters a critical period for securing power supplies during the summer peak season, the NEA said it will strengthen monitoring, weather coordination and power-supply security efforts, while safeguarding residential electricity use, improving the reliability of power equipment and reducing the impact of extreme weather events on daily life.
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