China is sweating under an unforgiving sun. The country is facing its worst heatwave in recorded history, and the pressure is mounting—not just on people, but on power lines.
Last week, electricity demand crossed 1.5 billion kilowatts for the first time ever. That’s the third time this month the record has been broken.
Energy officials say the heat is pushing the grid to its limits. “High-temperature weather will … have an impact on power generation and supply,” said Chen Hui of the China Meteorological Administration.
He warned that hydropower output is dropping, and solar panels are losing efficiency. “It will hit hydropower output and reduce the efficiency of photovoltaic generation,” he added.
To manage the strain, authorities plan to issue alerts to electricity suppliers when emergency measures like peak shaving and cross-regional dispatching are needed.
Heatwave Turns Deadly, Health Risks Rise
The heat is not just a technical problem—it’s a human one. China has issued its first-ever nationwide alert for heat-related health risks.
Officials are urging the elderly to stay indoors. Outdoor workers have been told to slow down during “sauna days.”
Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Centre, said the heatwave is breaking records. “Since mid-March, the number of days when temperatures hit 35 degrees Celsius or more is the highest on record.”
In just two weeks, temperatures above 40°C have scorched 407,000 square kilometers—an area bigger than Germany. One station in Xinjiang hit a blistering 48.7°C.
Regions most affected include Henan, Hubei, Shandong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang. The national average temperature is now the second-highest ever recorded.
Jia warned that August could be worse. “We cannot rule out the chance of more record-breaking heat. August could prove as warm as, or even hotter than, in recent years.”
Tibet’s Mega Dam: Power Solution or Political Storm?
In response to the crisis, China has begun building what will be the world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibet. The project is expected to cost over $170 billion and generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually—about the same as the UK’s total electricity use in 2024.
The dam will feature five cascading power stations and is part of China’s push to meet its carbon neutrality goals by 2060.
But not everyone is cheering. India and Bangladesh have raised concerns about the dam’s impact on downstream water flow and regional stability. Environmentalists also worry about the fragile ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau.
China insists the project is safe and within its sovereign rights. Officials say they are sharing hydrological data and working with neighboring countries on flood prevention.
Still, the debate continues. Can mega infrastructure solve a climate crisis—or will it create new ones?
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