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China's installed power generation capacity reaches 4.103 billion kW by end of August, up 11.1% YoY
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The National Energy Administration released national power statistics for January-August 2026. As of the end of August, China's total installed power generation capacity reached 4.103 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%. Solar power installed capacity was 1.299 billion kW, up 16.3%, and wind power installed capacity was 693 million kW, up 19.6%. Average utilization hours of power generation equipment in the first eight months were 1,942 hours, down 163 hours from the same period last year. In August 2026, total social electricity consumption exceeded one trillion kWh again, reaching 1,033.2 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 1.7%. The electricity load hit a record high of 1.56 billion kW, exceeding the previous year's maximum by 49.69 million kW, with seven days surpassing last year's peak. From January to August 2026, cumulative social electricity consumption was 7,173 billion kWh, up 4.3% year-on-year. Primary industry electricity consumption was 104.6 billion kWh, up 3.3%.
Source report
The National Energy Administration has released its national power statistics for the first eight months of the year.
Installed Power Generation Capacity
As of the end of August, the country's cumulative installed power generation capacity reached 41.03 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%.
- Solar power: 12.99 billion kilowatts, up 16.3% year-on-year
- Wind power: 6.93 billion kilowatts, up 19.6% year-on-year
Average Utilization Hours
From January to August, the national average utilization hours of power generation equipment stood at 1,942 hours, a decrease of 163 hours compared to the same period last year.
Electricity Consumption
In August 2026,全社会 electricity consumption exceeded one trillion kilowatt-hours for the month, reaching 1,033.2 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 1.7%. The peak electricity load hit a record high of 1.56 billion kilowatts, surpassing the previous year's maximum load by 49.69 million kilowatts. A total of 7 days recorded loads exceeding the previous year's peak.
For the period from January to August 2026, cumulative electricity consumption reached 7,173 billion kWh, up 4.3% year-on-year.
Breakdown by Industry
- Primary industry: 104.6 billion kWh, up 3.3% year-on-year
Source
中国能源网Eastern
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China's power generation capacity hits 4.103 billion kW by end of August, up 11.1%