Translated with AI
According to data published by the National Energy Administration (NEA), China's total electricity consumption by 2025 will surpass the 10 trillion mark for the first time, reaching 10.4 trillion kWh, an increase of 5 percent year-on-year. This makes China the first country in the world to achieve annual electricity consumption exceeding 10 trillion kWh.
Yang Kun, Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Electric Power Enterprises, noted that the record electricity consumption in 2025 reflects the solid foundation of China's manufacturing industry and the improvement of the country's industrial structure towards high-tech and high-added value, and in turn serves as convincing evidence of the resilience and long-term stability of the Chinese economy, as well as China's commitment to green transformation and low-carbon transition.
According to statistics from the State Energy Inspectorate, in 2025, electricity consumption in the primary and secondary sectors of the PRC economy increased by 9.9 percent and 3.7 percent year-on-year, respectively, to 149.4 billion and 6.6366 trillion kWh, while in the tertiary sector, this figure increased by 8.2 percent to 1.9942 trillion kWh. Electricity consumption for domestic needs of urban and rural households reached 1.588 trillion kWh, an increase of 6.3 percent year-on-year.
It's worth noting that it took China just over ten years to increase its annual electricity consumption from 5 trillion to 10 trillion kWh. This growth rate is unique among the world's largest economies, not only confirming China's strength as a major manufacturing country but also demonstrating the comprehensive expansion of the country's energy supply potential.
As new productive forces accelerate their development, high-tech manufacturing is becoming the main driver of energy consumption growth in China.
In 2025, electricity consumption in the new energy vehicle (NEV) and wind power equipment industries increased sharply – by more than 20 percent and more than 30 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, the rapid development of the digital economy and new technologies has created new demand for electricity. The accelerated construction of new infrastructure, such as 5G base stations and charging stations, has led to a more than 30% increase in electricity consumption in the internet sector and related services. Notably, electricity consumption in the charging and battery replacement sector is expected to soar by almost 50% in 2025.
China's power system has withstood the dual challenges of rising electricity consumption and the modernization of its power structure.
Statistics show that China accounts for one-third of the world's total installed power capacity, and currently, for every 3 kWh of electricity consumed in China, approximately 1 kWh of electricity is generated from clean energy sources.
By the end of November 2025, the total installed capacity of wind and solar power plants in China amounted to 1.76 billion kW, 34 percent more than the previous year. For the entire year 2025, the share of non-fossil energy power plants in the country's total installed capacity exceeded 60 percent.
By 2025, China's transregional power transmission capacity will reach 370 million kW. Currently, the country has 46 ultra-high-voltage transmission lines, which have allowed for the densification of the national grid for power transmission from west to east and from north to south.
According to forecasts, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the average annual growth rate of electricity consumption in China will be from 4.2 to 5.6 percent, and by 2030 it will be able to exceed 13 trillion kWh.
According to the State Grid Corporation of China, capital investment in fixed assets in China's electric power industry totaled more than 2.8 trillion yuan (approximately $400 billion) from 2021 to 2025. This figure exceeded 650 billion yuan in 2025. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, such investment is expected to reach 4 trillion yuan, primarily to promote scientific and technological innovation and build a new type of electric power system.
