(Yicai Global) April 17 -- China produced and used over 6 percent less electricity in the first quarter of this year from a year earlier due to the Covid-19 epidemic, according to official data.

Electricity output fell by 6.8 percent to 1.58 trillion kilowatt-hours, the National Bureau of Statistics announced today. Meanwhile, consumption declined by 6.5 percent to1.56 trillion kWhs, according to China's National Energy Administration.

In March, the country generated 4.6 percent less electricity at 552.6 billion kWhs from a year ago. Usage was 4.2 percent down at 549.3 billion kWhs.

Editor: Emmi Laine