The National Energy Administration announced on January 17 that China's annual electricity consumption for the entire society historically surpassed 10 trillion kWh in 2025, reaching 10.4 trillion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 5%. This figure is a first for a single country globally, equivalent to more than twice the annual electricity consumption of the United States and exceeding the combined annual electricity consumption of the European Union, Russia, India, and Japan. As a barometer of economic activity, the "full capacity" power consumption reflects steaming, full-throttle production and booming, continuously improving livelihoods, painting a picture of abundant fruitfulness and composing a symphony of inspiring progress.
Surpassing 10 trillion kWh in total societal electricity consumption serves as a vivid testament to the formidable resilience of the Chinese economy. This number not only reflects the total volume of economic activity but also demonstrates the strong recovery capacity and growth potential inherent in China's economy. Amid a complex and ever-changing domestic and international environment, the Chinese economy has consistently maintained a steady growth trajectory, with the continuous climb in electricity consumption directly corroborating the vitality of various market entities. The rapid growth in electricity consumption by the tertiary sector and for residential living, in particular, highlights the positive outcomes of China's ongoing economic structural optimization. Economic growth is no longer solely reliant on traditional industries but is increasingly driven by a diversified and encouraging multi-polar structure.
This landmark electricity consumption figure is a direct manifestation of the vibrant activity pulsating through China's role as the "world's factory." Manufacturing is the primary sector for electricity consumption, and behind this breakthrough number lies the comprehensive recovery and transformative upgrading of China's manufacturing industry. From the intelligent transformation of traditional industries to the vigorous development of strategic emerging sectors, and from factories along the coast operating at full capacity to the rapid rise of industrial parks inland, Chinese manufacturing is undergoing a profound qualitative change. The rapid growth in electricity demand from sectors like high-end equipment, new energy vehicles, and photovoltaic products indicates that "Made in China" is steadily ascending the global value chain.
Reaching a historic high in electricity consumption presented a severe test for China's energy security system, and the successful achievement of this milestone fully demonstrates the robust and reliable nature of China's energy guarantees. Faced with such massive demand, China's energy system exhibited exceptional supply stability and dispatch flexibility. This reflects the increasing maturity of an integrated modern energy system encompassing "generation, grid, load, and storage," with continuous increases in clean energy installed capacity, ultra-high voltage transmission networks spanning the country, ongoing advancements in smart grid construction, and the rapid development of energy storage facilities.
"Full of vitality transforming the world, human ingenuity and natural forces vie daily for renewal." It took China just over a decade to increase its annual electricity consumption from 5 trillion kWh to 10 trillion kWh, a rate of growth unparalleled among the world's major economies. This not only confirms the fundamental strength of a major manufacturing nation but also reflects the comprehensive enhancement of energy security capabilities. With a firm direction towards a green transition and confident strides in development, the power supply system, characterized by synergistic efforts across the "power source, grid, and demand" sides, illuminates the prospects for future development and solidifies confidence in the path ahead.
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