China power demand hits record high

China’s national electricity load reached a record 1.518 billion kilowatts on Friday, July 10, 2026, surpassing the previous peak by about 10 million kilowatts. The new high came early in the summer season, highlighting intense power demand across the country during a period of elevated temperatures.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) linked the surge in peak demand to strong industrial activity, increasing electric-vehicle charging, growth in data services and heavier use of air-conditioning. These factors combined to push the system to a new nationwide maximum load.

Air-conditioning was a major contributor, accounting for nearly 30% of peak power demand across the country. In some provinces, the share of air-conditioning in peak demand exceeded 40%, underscoring the impact of hot weather on the power system.

Rising electric-vehicle charging and expanding data services added to the load, reflecting structural changes in electricity consumption. At the same time, robust industrial activity continued to underpin baseline demand, amplifying the effect of weather-related usage.

Renewable energy made a sizable contribution at the moment of peak demand. Renewable generation exceeded 600 million kilowatts and supplied more than 40% of total power at the peak, indicating significant support from non-fossil sources during high-load conditions.

This performance occurred against the backdrop of large installed capacity across the system. By the end of May 2026, China’s total installed power generation capacity reached 4.01 billion kilowatts, providing the foundation for handling surging summer loads.

Multiple provincial-level regions reported their own record-high loads since the start of summer. Provinces and regions including Guangdong, Guangxi, Ningxia and Gansu all saw peak power use climb to new highs, illustrating the breadth of the demand increase across different parts of the country.

These regional records signal that pressure on the grid is not confined to a single industrial center or climate zone. Instead, high temperatures, expanding industry and new electricity uses are elevating power demand in both coastal and inland areas.

To manage the elevated demand and maintain stable supply, the NDRC stated it will step up coordination of fuel and power supplies. The focus is on ensuring that generation resources have adequate fuel and that electricity can be dispatched efficiently during peak periods.

The NDRC also plans to increase inter-regional electricity transfers through the summer. Enhanced transfers are intended to balance conditions between regions, moving surplus power to areas facing tight supply and helping to keep the grid stable during future high-load events.