• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Stock

China’s heatwave fuels record power demand, strains grid

by July 17, 2025
by July 17, 2025

Much of China experienced extremely hot weather, causing a record-breaking surge in electricity use, exceeding 1.5 billion kilowatts, according to a Reuters report.

Authorities face a significant challenge as an arc of sweltering heat, linked by meteorologists to climate change, stretches across densely populated southwestern cities like Chongqing and Chengdu to the southern megaport of Guangzhou.

State media reported on Thursday, citing national weather authorities, that a subtropical high weather system in the northwest and southwest led to record-high temperatures at eight weather stations over the past two days.

“The power system is holding up so far,” Chim Lee, a senior energy and climate change specialist at the Economist Intelligence Unit was quoted in the report.

But the real test will come as the summer wears on, and there are still risks of potential power rationing.

Strategic shift

In June, solar energy was the primary driver of increased power generation, contributing 50% of the surge. 

Hydropower output also rose compared to 2023, though it remained below 2022 levels, Lee said. 

This indicated a significant shift towards renewable sources, with solar leading the way in boosting the nation’s energy supply, while hydropower shows a partial recovery from the previous year.

These remarks follow the National Energy Administration’s announcement on Wednesday of a “record high” in China’s electrical load. 

This marks the third time this month the country has experienced such a peak. 

The escalating demand for electricity highlights the significant strain on China’s energy infrastructure, prompting concerns about future energy security and the need for sustainable solutions to meet the growing consumption.

The nation’s maximum power output has surged by 55 million kilowatts compared to last year. This summer alone, provincial records have been surpassed 36 times in the world’s second-largest economy.

Rising temperatures

Rising temperatures not only devastate croplands and reduce farm incomes but also pose significant threats to manufacturing centers, potentially disrupting their operations. 

Furthermore, key ports face operational strain, leading to broader economic ripple effects. The increased heat also places immense pressure on already overburdened healthcare systems, exacerbating public health challenges.

On average, the southern province of Jiangxi has experienced 21.7 days annually with temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit) over the past decade. 

This marks a significant increase from the five to seven days observed at the turn of the century, according to state media.

A blog post by state broadcaster CCTV last week highlighted a traditional practice of sleeping with wax gourds, vegetables believed to absorb body heat, due to the prolonged heatwave.

On Wednesday, animals at the Chongqing Zoo received iced watermelons, according to the official news agency Xinhua.

Respite in sight

However, some relief may be on the way. 

Weather forecasters predict temperatures will start to ease from Monday. This is due to a tropical depression east of the Philippines, which is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Wipha and track across Taiwan towards southern China.

The subtropical high could obstruct the low-pressure system, leading to continued heavy use of air conditioners and increased strain on the power grid.

The post China’s heatwave fuels record power demand, strains grid appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Couche-Tard exit lets Seven & i refocus on core ops, but stock may stay muted
next post
Buy Now, Pay Later Is Just Credit, Not a Crisis

Related Posts

Cristiano Ronaldo joins the billionaire club, net worth...

October 8, 2025

Elon Musk’s xAI secures $20B boost as Nvidia,...

October 8, 2025

SoftBank to acquire ABB’s robotics unit for $5.4B...

October 8, 2025

European stocks open higher: CAC 40 climbs 0.11%,...

October 8, 2025

EU steel tariff surge threatens UK exports and...

October 8, 2025

Why Tata Motors stock remains in the red...

October 8, 2025

Asian markets open: Nikkei hits another record high,...

October 7, 2025

Top reasons why the Topix and Nikkei 225...

October 7, 2025

Goldman Sachs boosts 2026 gold price forecast to...

October 7, 2025

Beijing intensifies oil stockpiling amid global supply and...

October 7, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Rent Control Will Make the Housing Crisis Worse

    October 8, 2025
  • Gold’s Acceleration Reveals Vanishing Calm, Coming Change

    October 8, 2025
  • Why the Erosion of Central Bank Independence Matters

    October 8, 2025
  • Cristiano Ronaldo joins the billionaire club, net worth hits $1.4B

    October 8, 2025
  • Elon Musk’s xAI secures $20B boost as Nvidia, Apollo, and Valor back data centre expansion

    October 8, 2025
  • SoftBank to acquire ABB’s robotics unit for $5.4B in AI push

    October 8, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 5

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 6

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025
  • 7

    Pop Mart reports 188% profit surge, plans aggressive global expansion

    March 26, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (2,815)
  • Editor's Pick (280)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (1,920)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

Top 4 catalysts for the S&P 500...

July 13, 2025

US and Mexico close to agreement on...

June 11, 2025

Micron stock price analysis: strong growth, momentum,...

September 24, 2025