A new record for China's overall electricity load was set on July 10, 2026, when peak demand reached 1.518 billion kilowatts. That surpassed the prior all-time high by 10 million kW.
The National Development and Reform Commission identified three factors behind the surge. On the industrial side, output from high-tech and high-end equipment manufacturing continued to grow, while emerging sectors such as new energy vehicles, energy storage and computing equipment expanded their electricity consumption. In services, electricity use by charging and battery-swap facilities and internet data services each increased by more than 40%.
Hot weather further boosted demand. As living standards rise, air-conditioning cooling loads now account for nearly 30% of national electricity consumption, and the share exceeds 40% in some provinces.
The NDRC said it will work through the inter-ministerial coordination mechanism on coal, electricity, oil, gas and transport supply to monitor power supply-demand dynamics, hold relevant parties accountable for implementing supply guarantees, and ensure electricity needs for economic and social operations as well as reliable and increasingly green power for the public.