AI Boom Drives China's Power Use to New High

China's electricity consumption is rising sharply, fueled by rapid growth in artificial intelligence and other high-tech industries. Official data shows power use across the country increased by 7.9% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period last year. The surge is mainly driven by the expanding data centers and manufacturing facilities that support AI systems. These facilities require massive amounts of electricity to run servers and cooling equipment. Other high-tech sectors, including electronics and electric vehicle battery production, also contributed to the demand. Analysts say this trend is likely to continue as China pushes to become a global leader in AI and advanced manufacturing. The rise in power use also reflects the country's broader economic recovery, with industrial output growing faster than expected. China's grid operators are now working to ensure stable power supply for these energy-intensive industries, while also expanding renewable energy sources to meet climate goals.