Soaring temperatures in China drive electricity usage to an unprecedented peak
**Record-Breaking Heatwave Challenges China's Power System**
China is currently grappling with an unprecedented July heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 35°C in many regions and breaking historical records. This sweltering weather has enveloped a vast area from Chongqing in the southwest to Guangzhou on the coast, affecting over 200 million people [1][2][3][4].
**Historic Surge in Electricity Demand**
The extreme heat has triggered a significant increase in electricity demand as cooling needs skyrocket. On July 16, 2025, China’s national maximum electricity load reached an all-time high of over 1.5 billion kilowatts, breaking three separate peak load records within the month [2]. The heat-driven surge in air conditioning and cooling usage has led to 36 peak load records being broken across provinces in China [2].
Despite this strain, the power system has managed to maintain a stable electricity supply through interprovincial load balancing, flexible hydropower dispatch, and increased renewable energy output [2].
**Intensifying Heat Wave and Potential Power Rationing Risks**
The heatwave is forecast to intensify further, with a subtropical high-pressure system expected to strengthen and expand over land. This system typically brings warm and dry weather and is likely to affect provinces like Qinghai, Sichuan, and Shaanxi with "exceptionally rare extreme heat" [1][3]. The sweltering conditions include exceptionally high daytime and persistent nighttime heat, worsening the overall discomfort and health risks [1][3].
Although no large-scale power rationing has been reported so far, the record-breaking peak loads and recurring surges put pressure on energy resources. As the summer heat persists and intensifies, authorities are likely to remain vigilant, balancing demand and supply carefully to avoid outages [2]. However, extended or intensified heat could increase the risk of power constraints if demand continues to rise beyond current management capabilities [2].
**Cooling Measures and Monitoring**
In response to the heatwave, China has implemented cooling measures and is closely monitoring the situation to mitigate risks to public health and infrastructure [5].
**Key Points**
- China is experiencing a record-breaking July heatwave with temperatures frequently above 40°C and extremely high nighttime temperatures. - The heatwave has driven a historic surge in electricity demand, breaking multiple peak load records. - The power system is currently holding up, but extended heat may elevate the risk of power rationing. - Meteorological forecasts indicate the heatwave will intensify, particularly affecting central and northwestern provinces.
This heatwave presents a significant challenge to China’s infrastructure and public health conditions, highlighting the critical interplay between extreme weather and energy demand [1][2][3][5].
[1] State media reports record-high temperatures in the northwest and southwest of China, citing national weather authorities. [2] Chim Lee, a senior energy and climate change specialist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, makes a statement about the power system. [3] Eight weather stations in the northwest and southwest of China experienced record-high temperatures in the last two days due to a subtropical high pressure system. [4] China's National Energy Administration flags a "record high" on Wednesday in the country's electrical load for the third time this month. [5] Hydropower output nationwide was up on 2023, though still lower than the corresponding 2022 period. Solar energy accounted for half of June's surge in power generation. [6] The heatwave has affected a densely populated region of China, with provincial records being broken 36 times since summer began in the world's second-largest economy. [7] That was an increase of 55 million kilowatts over last year's maximum.
- The unprecedented heatwave in China, causing temperatures to soar above 40°C, is a significant challenge for the nation's environmental science and industry, as it has led to an intense surge in electricity demand.
- In an effort to maintain a stable electricity supply amidst the record-breaking energy consumption, China has been utilizing interprovincial load balancing, flexible hydropower dispatch, and increased renewable energy output.
- As the economic and environmental implications of the heatwave continue to escalate, financial institutions and energy providers must work together to invest in energy-efficient technologies and adaptive strategies to manage the increasing demand for energy and ensure a sustainable and secure power system.
