China's electricity consumption surged to an unprecedented 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2025, marking a milestone in global energy demand, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA). This figure surpasses the combined total of the European Union, Russia, India, and Japan, and doubles U.S. consumption levels.
The 5% annual growth was driven by an 8.2% rise in tertiary sector usage and a 6.3% increase in urban and rural household demand. Notably, battery-swapping and EV charging services saw a 48.8% spike in electricity use, reflecting rapid adoption of green technologies. Information technology sectors also contributed significantly, with a 17% growth in power demand.
Renewable energy played a pivotal role, with 370 gigawatts of new wind and solar capacity added last year. Clean energy sources now account for 22% of total consumption, as confirmed at Thursday's national energy conference. NEA head Wang Hongzhi emphasized plans to 'advance the green transition' further in 2026, prioritizing new energy integration.
