Electricity consumption to reach 5.1 trillion kWh   

电监会：全年全社会用电量将达5.1万亿千瓦时

中国国家电力监管委员会（电监会）16日称，今年下半年全国电力供需总体平衡，预计全年全社会用电量可达5.1万亿千瓦时左右，同比增长7%左右。

Beijing (CNS) -- The State Electricity Regulatory Commission announced Monday that China's electricity consumption in 2012 is expected to reach 5.1 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh), up 7 percent from last year.

National electricity demand during the second half of the year can be generally satisfied, the commission said.

The summer supply will be more sufficient than previous years thanks to a slower economy, abundant thermal coal storage and ample water resources for power generation, said the commission.

In terms of different regions, the northeast and northwest have more than needed in storage, east, north, south and central China are likely to meet shortage during peak hours, especially in Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Chongqing, and Hebei.