(Yicai Global) Oct. 19 -- China’s electricity production rose 5.3 percent last month from a year earlier to meet increasing industrial demand as the country recovers from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

China generated 631.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in September, the National Bureau of Statistics said today. During the first three quarters of the year, output rose 0.9 percent to 5.41 trillion KWh.

The numbers are in line with consumption. Last month, the world’s second-largest economy used 7.2 percent more power, or 645.4 billion KWh, according to data that the National Energy Administration released last week. Over the three quarters, the figure rose 1.3 percent to 5.41 trillion KWh.

The manufacturing-led recovery began six months ago as factories reopened after lockdowns imposed to limit the spread of the deadly virus. Industrial production rose for a sixth month in a row in September, gaining 6.9 percent, NBS data also showed today.

Editor: Emmi Laine