(Yicai Global) Jan. 29 -- Several of China's provinces have registered record levels of electricity use, with two resorting to rationing, amid heavy snowfalls and a plunge in temperatures that has even impacted the country's usually warmer southern climes.

Electricity demand climbed to historic seasonal highs in provinces including Jilin, Liaoning, Hunan and Jiangxi. The latter two implemented limits, financial news agency Caixin reported. Demand also outstripped peak summer levels.

Average daily generating capacity has been 19.12 billion kilowatt-hours across the country since the beginning of winter, with a high of 20.1 billion kwh, up 15 percent on last winter's maximum, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Hunan and Jiangxi, neighboring provinces in central southern China, suffered a severe blizzard, leading to surging electricity use. Authorities implemented power rationing for Jan. 26 and 27 to ensure a steady supply, with peak demand expected at about 1.5 million kwh and 1 million kwh, respectively.

Five to six times the usual demand is expected before and after lunar new year's eve on Feb. 15, according to Wang Yanfang, a spokeswoman for State Grid Corporation of China. That will put more pressure on the network's safe operation, Wang added. Power loads are projected to remain high in Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan and other areas dependent on coal-fired power generation, she said.