China’s electricity consumption, a significant indicator of economic activity, rose by 11% YoY in February, indicating a steady recovery from COVID-19-triggered disruptions. According to data from the National Energy Administration, total power usage in China reached 695 billion kilowatt-hours last month, with power consumption in the secondary industry soaring by 19.7% YoY, while the primary and tertiary industries rose 8.6% and 4.4% YoY, respectively. Meanwhile, residential power consumption declined by 9.2% YoY.
In the first two months of the year, China’s power use increased 2.3% YoY to 1.38 trillion kilowatt-hours. The country’s recovery has been attributed to government policies aimed at boosting domestic consumption, coupled with a rebound in exports. The steady economic recovery, along with the strong electricity demand, is expected to increase coal consumption, as it remains the primary source of power generation in China.
Despite this, China is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, and it has set a target to peak carbon emissions by 2030. To achieve these goals, the country is increasing its use of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power. While China’s coal consumption may increase in the short term, its long-term plan is to move away from fossil fuels and transition towards cleaner energy sources.
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