China’s Electricity Consumption Reaches Over 2.51T kWh in Q1

(MENAFN) China’s electricity demand—widely regarded as a key gauge of economic momentum—climbed to more than 2.51 trillion kilowatt-hours in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 5.2 percent increase from a year earlier, official data showed Monday.

Figures released by National Energy Administration pointed to broad-based expansion across all major sectors, underscoring steady economic activity despite global uncertainty.

Electricity usage in the primary sector rose sharply, advancing 7.1 percent year on year to reach 33.6 billion kilowatt-hours.

The secondary sector, which accounts for the largest share of consumption, recorded about 1.6 trillion kilowatt-hours, up 4.7 percent compared with the same period last year. Growth was especially pronounced in high-tech and equipment manufacturing, where power usage jumped 8.6 percent.

In the services sector, electricity demand grew even faster. The tertiary industry posted an 8.1 percent increase, with total consumption hitting 483.3 billion kilowatt-hours. Within this category, emerging segments showed standout gains: battery charging and swapping services surged 53.8 percent to 37.6 billion kilowatt-hours, while internet data services rose 44 percent to 22.9 billion kilowatt-hours.

For March alone, total electricity consumption reached 859.5 billion kilowatt-hours, representing a 3.5 percent year-on-year rise.

The latest energy data aligns with broader economic indicators, as China’s gross domestic product expanded 5 percent in the first quarter—exceeding expectations from some foreign institutions and reinforcing the country’s position as a stabilizing force in an increasingly volatile global environment.

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