All lights on despite scorching weather

Energy firms ensure adequate power supplies this summer amid higher average temperatures

Energy companies, guided by the authorities and striving to boost reliance on renewable sources, are rallying to ensure stable power supplies as heat waves continue to affect multiple regions in China.

Government departments and related enterprises are actively promoting the development of new energy sources to significantly supplement coal-fired power. Meanwhile, thermal power generators are operating at full capacity, while grid corporations are going all out to enable the safe and smooth transmission of electricity.

Officials and experts said China is capable of ensuring stable and adequate power supplies despite the challenges posed by persistently high temperatures and frequent extreme weather, as well as higher electricity demand due to the country's ongoing economic recovery.

While power supplies have been assured, a gradual increase in the proportion of renewable energy sources in the power system poses challenges to stability, experts said, adding that their intermittent nature and lack of flexibility need to be addressed.

Regions will need to formulate solutions if there is a tight supply-demand situation in the future, and mobilizing demand-side resources and preparing adjustable power loads should be prioritized, experts said.

"This year, high temperatures arrived early and affected a large area. Unusual and scorching heat waves have been observed in some northern regions of China, leading to a rapid increase in electricity demand. Meanwhile, the economic rebound in the first half and reduced water flows in the southwest in early summer, have posed a significant challenge to ensuring stable power supplies," said Wang Yang, a researcher at the National Climate Center.

One of the main reasons for the rapid increase in electricity demand this summer is the high average temperatures, Ou Hong, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a recent news conference.

For every degree increase in temperature above 28 C, the national cooling load may increase by about 50 million kilowatts.

"Currently, in many provinces, air conditioners account for more than 40 percent of the total electricity load during the peak demand period, and in some major cities, the number exceeds 50 percent," Ou said.

According to the NDRC, since the start of summer, China's daily dispatched electricity reached a record high of 30.171 billion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 1.511 billion kWh compared with the peak of last year. The country's peak power load also hit a historic high at 1.339 billion kW, up 49.5 million kW compared with last year.