Overview

• National demand topped 1.5 billion kilowatts on Wednesday, the highest level ever recorded in China.
• July marked the third record-breaking peak this month with demand jumping 55 million kilowatts above last year’s maximum.
• Experts at the Economist Intelligence Unit say the power system is holding up so far; they warn the real challenge will arrive if high temperatures persist.
• Feels-like temperatures near 50 °C have affected more than 200 million people from Chongqing to Guangzhou, disrupting crops, factories and healthcare while driving a surge in air conditioner and fan sales.
• Solar generation accounted for half of June’s power increase, and hydropower volumes rose year-over-year but remained below 2022 levels.