Beijing's power grid hits record load as heat and humidity push demand

Beijing's power grid hit a record peak load for the second consecutive day on Thursday as persistent heat and humidity drove up electricity demand, Beijing Daily reported.

The city's power grid load reached 29.39 million kilowatts at 12:03 pm, the highest level ever recorded in Beijing, according to State Grid Beijing Electric Power Co.

Electricity used for cooling, mainly from air conditioners, accounted for 45 percent of the total load, it said.

Liu Hui, an official with the company's electricity control center, said frequent rainfall combined with high temperatures has created muggy conditions, significantly increasing demand for cooling, the report said.

State Grid Beijing Electric Power has activated a high-load emergency response to ensure the safe and stable operation of the capital's power grid. As of 3 pm on Thursday, the grid was operating safely with sufficient power supply to meet demand.

With hot and humid weather expected to persist, power demand is likely to remain at a high level in the coming days, Liu said.