China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, grew 6.1 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday.

Data from the NEA revealed that China's total electricity consumption exceeded 1.65 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) from January to February.

By sector, electricity consumption in the primary industry rose 7.4 percent year on year. The secondary sector saw a 6.3 percent increase, driven largely by high-tech and equipment manufacturing industries, which recorded a robust 10.6 percent growth.

The tertiary sector consumed 8.3 percent more electricity compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, residential power use for both urban and rural residents increased by 2.7 percent.