China's electricity load climbed to an all-time high of 1.518 billion kilowatts on July 10 during the summer peak season. Comprehensive estimates by the National Development and Reform Commission indicate the maximum load could surpass 1.6 billion kW this summer. An official from the commission noted that the sustained increase in energy supply capacity has laid a solid foundation for secure summer supply.
Professor Gao Ming from Shandong University's Institute of Nuclear Science and Energy Power explained that the supply effort faces dual pressures. The combination of the industrial production peak and persistent heat is driving up cooling demand, while the growing share of new energy—now the main source of new capacity—requires greater system flexibility. Coal power continues to play an indispensable backstop role.
Most existing coal-fired units have undergone flexibility retrofits and are now capable of deep peak shaving and rapid start-stop. Digital transformation is also accelerating, with artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies boosting operational efficiency and responsiveness. A thermal power company in Henan, for instance, has built up high coal stockpiles through dynamic procurement and tailored coal blending. In Shaanxi, coal plant operators have intensified inspections of rotating equipment and cooling water systems, and conducted flood control drills to brace for the rainy season.
Meanwhile, the build-out of the new power system has brought storage assets into the supply equation. A 200 MW/400 MWh standalone energy storage station in Dingzhou, Hebei, was recently connected to the grid, charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak hours to smooth out variable renewable generation. In a village in Mianyang, Sichuan, a local power company deployed a photovoltaic-storage microgrid that uses existing PV equipment and new storage, managed by smart controls, to ensure basic electricity for residents, irrigation, and aquaculture.
Gao Ming observed that the scale of storage stations and virtual power plants continues to grow. While their flexible dispatch capabilities have produced results, he noted that market mechanisms are still not fully aligned, some regions face consumption pressure, and technical standards need further improvement. He called for enhancing the flexible regulation capability of storage, broadening its application scenarios, and refining price mechanisms such as capacity tariffs and ancillary services markets—while improving system integration, operational stability, and intelligent scheduling to balance supply effectiveness with economic viability.