China's National Development
and Reform Commission (NDRC) pledged on Thursday to ensure stable electricity supply this summer, as the country braces for a surge in demand from June to August, the peak season of power consumption.
The top economic planner assured the public that, despite an expected increase in maximum electricity load, comprehensive measures will ensure a balanced power supply and demand nationwide, safeguarding energy security.
Li Chao, an official with NDRC, said that the country's maximum electricity load during the summer peak is likely to increase by around 100 million kilowatts compared to a year earlier.
To meet the increasing demand, Li noted that the NDRC has implemented a series of measures. These include enhancing power generation capacity, strengthening cross-provincial power transmission infrastructure, and optimizing energy supply plans—for example, to ensure that electricity from the northwestern region can support the power demand of densely populated areas and industrial zones in the eastern coastal regions.
As of the end of May this year, China's cumulative installed electricity generation capacity reached 3.61 billion kilowatts, representing an 18.8 percent year-on-year increase. Additionally, coal inventories at major power plants remain high, providing a solid foundation for supply stability, Li said.
Currently, all sectors have proactively and effectively responded to power loads during summer heat waves. This summer's power supply-demand balance is better than last year, with overall security ensured nationwide, the official said.
To address potential tightness in some regions during peak hours and prepare for extreme weather conditions, the commission will intensify monitoring through a daily reporting mechanism, ensure the strict enforcement of coal, oil and gas supply contracts, and continue to coordinate production, transportation, and reserves to safeguard electricity supply. In case of emergencies, pre-positioned rescue resources will be ready to safeguard electricity supply for residential and critical industrial sectors, Li said.
Editor:Evan
