China’s 2025 Power Use to Rise 5% as Services, High-Tech Drive Demand Shift

China’s electricity consumption is forecast to rise roughly 5% this year, with momentum expected to accelerate in the fourth quarter, according to a report from the China Electricity Council.

The industry group said Monday that power usage is projected to reach around 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2025. During the first nine months of this year, consumption rose 4.6% year-on-year to 7.8 trillion kilowatt-hours — tracking closely with China’s 5.2% GDP growth over the same period, which slightly outpaced the government’s full-year target of around 5%.

The data offer insights into a structural shift in China’s economy, with high-tech industries and services emerging as the leading sources of electricity demand, while traditional heavy industries lag. Meanwhile, the country’s green energy transition is accelerating, with wind and solar generation accounting for nearly all incremental output.