(Yicai Global) Feb. 5 -- Peak electricity demand in the Chinese economic powerhouse of Guangdong province is expected to spike as much as 19 percent over the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday next week as many people follow government exhortations not to return home to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus and factories take the opportunity to ramp up production.

The electricity consumption of Guangdong residents and the tertiary industry will increase by 3.5 million kilowatts during the Lunar New Year holiday, the Nanfang Daily reported today, citing the China Southern Power Grid.

Many migrant workers work year-round in Guangdong, the country’s manufacturing heartland, and return to their rural homelands just once a year over the Spring Festival to see their families. This year, though, is different as the provincial government is encouraging people not to travel in order to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.

As a result, many companies have shortened the holiday and are staying open, China Southern Power said, citing a survey of 20 power supply bureaus and 2,303 customers. They are also expected to get back to work quicker than in previous years.

"In order to meet orders, a unit of battery maker Sunwoda Electronic has doubled the number of shifts and its monthly power consumption has almost tripled to six million kilowatt hours, Chief Administrative Engineer Hu Junjie said.

China Southern Power will ensure adequate power supply to the five provinces under its umbrella, namely Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hainan, during the holiday period, the company said.

Editor: Kim Taylor