Power supply returns to normalcy in SW China's Sichuan, Chongqing

APD NEWS

text

CElectricity supply for large-scale industries has returned to normalcy in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, CMG learned from the State Grid Corporation of China on Tuesday, as fewer people use air conditioners after extremely hot weather dissipated in the region.

This came after ordinary industrial and commercial electricity use resumed on Monday.

The maximum daily demand in Sichuan was estimated at around 48 gigawatts on Tuesday, down from the peak of 65 gigawatts.

Recent rainfall also helped easing drought in the area, and brought more water to hydropower plants in the region.

"The total capacity of hydropower plants in the province is now 23.8 percent higher compared with the recent low point," said Luo Xiaoyi, spokesperson for the Sichuan branch of the State Grid. "Now we have enough capacity to meet the demand."

Power supply in the nearby Chongqing Municipality is also getting better, with limits being lifted.

The cooler weather has significantly brought down air conditioner usage in Chongqing. The residential electricity demand fell from a peak of 14 to only 5 gigawatts on Monday, and there is no longer a shortage of the local power supply.

A CMG report said factories in the two provincial-level regions have returned to full-speed production in order to catch up with lost time.

The resumption of power reduced concerns over tight supplies of the battery metal - lithium. Top Chinese lithium processor, Tianqi Lithium Corp, said on Tuesday its factory in Sichuan's Shehong City had resumed normal production.

(CGTN)