As a barometer of economic development, the trend of electricity consumption can always reflect the economic vitality and industrial trends of a country or region. In the first half of 2024, China's total electricity consumption reached 4.6 trillion kWh, an increase of 8.1% year-on-year, a significant growth data that provides us with a new perspective on China's economic development.
Macroeconomic context for the growth of electricity consumption
China's rapid economic growth is the main driver of the increase in electricity consumption. With the gradual subsidence of the impact of the epidemic and the continuous efforts of the country's steady growth policy, the demand for electricity in various fields such as industrial production, service industry and residential life has shown an upward trend.
Analysis of electricity consumption by industry
Primary industry: electricity consumption was 62.3 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 8.8%, and this high growth rate reflects the in-depth promotion of agricultural modernization and rural electrification.
Secondary industry: As a major electricity consumer, the electricity consumption of 3,067 billion kWh and the growth rate of 6.9% highlight the steady recovery of industrial production and the continuous expansion of the manufacturing sector.
Tertiary industry: 852.5 billion kWh of electricity consumption and a growth rate of 11.7% are particularly eye-catching, indicating the rapid development of the service industry, especially information technology and Internet services.
Electricity consumption of urban and rural residents: 675.7 billion kWh of electricity consumption and a growth rate of 9.0%, reflecting the improvement of residents' living standards and the popularization of household appliances.
Figure: In the first half of 2024, China's total electricity consumption reached 4.6 trillion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 8.1%
Power load under the dual influence of high temperature and economic improvement
On July 10, 2024, the maximum power load in the southern region reached 239 million kilowatts, a record high. The breaking of this record is not only related to the high temperature in the southern region for several days, but also closely related to the increase in economic activity. The positive economy has led to an increase in industrial and commercial activity, which in turn has pushed up the demand for electricity.
Changes and challenges in the structure of energy consumption
The growth of electricity consumption in the whole society has also brought about changes in the structure of energy consumption. On the one hand, the proportion of renewable energy is gradually increasing, and on the other hand, the peak regulation capacity of the power system is being challenged, especially under extreme climatic conditions. How to balance the stability and sustainability of energy supply has become an important issue in energy management.
Conclusions and prospects
The growth of electricity consumption in the first half of 2024 is not only a reflection of China's economic vitality, but also a sign of the transformation of energy consumption patterns. Looking ahead, with the continuous development of the economy and the optimization of the energy structure, it is expected that electricity consumption will continue to maintain a growth trend. At the same time, how to improve energy efficiency and promote the development of clean energy will be the key to achieving green and low-carbon development.
