China expands power restrictions as heatwave drives demand to record levels
- Major manufacturing hubs such as Jiangsu and Anhui have introduced power restrictions on some steel mills and copper plants
- Guangdong, Sichuan and Chongqing city have all recently broken power use records and also imposed electricity restrictions
Major Chinese manufacturing hubs have imposed power restrictions on multiple industries as the country grapples with record high electricity demand for cooling during a summer heatwave.
Jiangsu, China’s second wealthiest province that neighbours Shanghai, has imposed restrictions on some steel mills and copper plants, the province’s steel association and industry research group Shanghai Metals Market said on Friday.
The central province of Anhui has also shut down all independently operated electric furnace facilities, which produce steel. Some production lines in long process steel mills are facing partial or complete closure, the industry group said.
Anhui also appealed on Thursday to the manufacturing industry, businesses, the public sector and individuals to ease energy use.
Zhejiang, one of China’s most industrialised provinces, which also borders Shanghai, has imposed power restrictions on polyester manufacturers and the textile industry. One polyester manufacturer confirmed the measures will be enforced until the end of August.
The major industrial provinces of Guangdong and Sichuan, as well as Chongqing city in the southwest, have all recently broken power use records and imposed electricity restrictions, too.