- China's electricity demand reached an all-time high of 1.5 billion kilowatts on Wednesday, driven by record-breaking summer heat.
- Feels-like temperatures in some regions were forecast to hit 50C, affecting over 200 million people across provinces including Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Guangdong.
- This marks the third time this month that China's national electrical load has set a new record, exceeding last year's maximum by 55 million kilowatts.
- While the power grid is currently coping with the surge, experts warn of potential energy rationing if the extreme heat persists.
- The heatwave is impacting agriculture, factory operations, and healthcare, though it has boosted consumer spending on items like air conditioners and fans, with solar energy supporting the power surge.
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