(Yicai) May 22 -- China’s peak electricity demand this summer is expected to hit a record high of around 1,600 gigawatts, up about 90 GW from a year earlier, as above-average temperatures across most parts of the country drive higher power consumption, according to China’s top economic planner.

The increase is roughly equivalent to the peak electricity load of Henan province, which reached 91.33 GW last summer and ranked fifth among China’s provincial-level regions. Despite the sharp rise in demand, authorities expect overall power supply to remain stable during the summer peak season because of solid preparation work and sufficient generation capacity reserves.

Li Chao, spokesperson for China’s National Development and Reform Commission, made the remarks at a press conference today. She said high temperatures are likely to sharply increase electricity consumption for air conditioning, while drought conditions could reduce hydropower output and extreme weather may damage power facilities and disrupt operations, posing challenges to the safe and stable operation of the power system.

Li added that newly installed generation capacity and ample fuel inventories at thermal power plants will support summer supply. China added about 100 GW of installed power generation capacity in the first four months of this year. As of the end of April, coal inventories at major thermal power plants were sufficient for more than 30 days of operation, while cumulative potential energy stored in hydropower stations exceeded 80 billion kilowatt-hours, both at historically favorable levels.

Li said authorities will continue strengthening cross-provincial and cross-regional power transmission and coordination. The unified national electricity market will also be used when necessary to improve nationwide supply support capacity. Provinces facing relatively tight supply-demand conditions will formulate emergency power supply plans based on local circumstances, she added.

A power supply and demand outlook report released by the China Electricity Council in late April forecast that China’s newly added installed power generation capacity may exceed 400 GW in 2026, including 300 GW of new energy capacity. Combined installed wind and solar power capacity is expected to account for half of the country’s total installed generation capacity by the end of the year.

Editors: Tang Shihua and Emmi Laine