In the latest social electricity consumption data released in October 2026, the new driving force of China's economic growth has achieved a growth rate far exceeding the average. In the first three quarters, the total electricity consumption of the whole society reached 807.34 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. Among them, the growth of electricity consumption in high-tech manufacturing and digital new formats is becoming the core driving force for the overall electricity consumption market to rise.

Continuous optimization of industrial electricity structure

From January to September 2026, the electricity consumption of the primary industry reached 118.2 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%, and the electricity consumption for agricultural production maintained a steady growth trend. The electricity consumption of the secondary industry was 5109.8 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%. Among them, the industrial electricity consumption was 5063.2 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 4.3%. The electricity consumption of high-tech and equipment manufacturing industry was 961.9 billion kilowatt hours, a significant year-on-year increase of 8.7%. The pace of capacity release in advanced manufacturing industry is significantly faster than the average level of traditional industry.

The electricity consumption of the tertiary industry was 1610.9 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 6.8%, which was far higher than the average level of electricity consumption in the whole society. Among them, the electricity consumption of the charge and replacement service industry was 131.5 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 55.4%, and the electricity consumption of Internet data services was 79.3 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 41.6%. The growth rate of electricity consumption of the two new business types of track continued to maintain a high level. The daily electricity consumption of urban and rural residents reached 123.46 billion kilowatt hours, a slight decrease of 0.3% year-on-year, and the overall electricity structure is continuously adjusting towards high-tech and high added value.

New business models become the core growth engine

In September 2026, the total electricity consumption of the society reached 899.7 billion kilowatt hours, a year-on-year increase of 1.2%, and the structural growth characteristics of electricity consumption in different industries continued from the first three quarters. The electricity consumption of the charging and changing service industry in that month was 16.8 billion kilowatt hours, up 57% year on year, and that of the Internet data service was 9.8 billion kilowatt hours, up 35.4% year on year. The total electricity consumption increment of the two tracks reached 8.65 billion kilowatt hours, accounting for 79.4% of the total electricity consumption increment of the whole society in that month, almost supporting the majority of the monthly electricity consumption increment.

According to the relevant analysis of the China Electricity Council, the growth rate of electricity consumption in new business forms in September led significantly. Internet data services and charging and changing services have become the most important incremental sources of electricity consumption in the tertiary industry and even the whole society. The expansion of the digital economy and new energy vehicle supporting industry is continuing to reshape the growth curve of electricity consumption in the whole society.

Behind the electricity consumption data in 2026, from industrial manufacturing to new digital formats, is a clear trajectory of the sustained growth of China's new economic momentum.Editor/Cheng Liting