electra-supply.comAn interview with a representative from the National Energy Administration revealed that electricity consumption is regarded as a key “barometer” of economic activity. According to the latest data, the total electricity consumption in China for the first three quarters of this year has reached 7,409.4 billion kilowatt-hours, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. This uptick reflects a lasting transformation and upgrade within traditional industries, alongside the robust growth of emerging sectors, as new productivity dynamics come into play.
From January to September, the breakdown of electricity consumption reveals that the primary industries consumed 1,035 billion kilowatt-hours, showing a growth of 6.9%. In comparison, the secondary industries accounted for 47,385 billion kilowatt-hours, with a 5.9% increase, while the tertiary sector’s consumption was 13,953 billion kilowatt-hours, experiencing an impressive 11.2% rise. Additionally, urban and rural residents consumed a total of 11,721 billion kilowatt-hours, reflecting a growth of 12.6%.
Diving deeper into the industrial contributions, it appears that the secondary sector’s growth rate has surpassed that of the previous year, contributing 48.9% to the overall electricity consumption increase. Notably, the electricity usage in high-tech and equipment manufacturing surged by 11.4%, outpacing the broader manufacturing sector’s average growth of 5.6%. The tertiary sector also showcased a sustained upward trend in electricity consumption, particularly within the internet and electric vehicle charging services, which exhibited exponential growth rates of 14.3%, 9.2%, and 10.5% in the first, second, and third quarters, respectively.
Examining the regional contributions, Guangdong province leads the nation with the highest electricity consumption scale, growing at a rate of 7.8%. Zhejiang province, on the other hand, has demonstrated an impressive year-on-year growth of 10.55%, with 27 out of 31 manufacturing sectors showing positive growth in consumption. The high-tech and equipment manufacturing industries in Zhejiang have notably grown by 15.66%, contrasting sharply with the mere 2.4% growth in traditional, energy-intensive sectors.
The resurgence of the global electronics market and the booming AI sector has driven electricity consumption in provinces like Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Hainan for computer and communication equipment manufacturing upwards by 17%. The electrical sector’s demand continues to rise, with home appliance brands rapidly expanding internationally, subsequently boosting electricity consumption in the electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industries. The impact of large-scale equipment renovation policies is becoming increasingly evident, contributing to the steady growth of general equipment manufacturing, instrument manufacturing, and specialized equipment manufacturing. Furthermore, the enhancement of capabilities in the “New Three Types” related industries has also led to a rapid increase in electricity consumption.
