BEIJING — China recorded rapid energy consumption growth in the first half of this year (H1), an official said on July 28.

In the first six months, the country's electricity consumption grew by 16.2 percent from a year earlier, Li Fulong, an official with the National Energy Administration, told a press conference.

The H1 consumption expanded by 15.8 percent from the same period in 2019, making the year-on-year growth rate in the two years average 7.6 percent, Li said.

Industrial power use increased by 16.5 percent year-on-year. It contributed nearly 70 percent to the growth in the country's total electricity consumption in the period.

The consumption of coal increased by 10.7 percent year-on-year, while the market demand for natural gas grew by 21.2 percent, Li said.

Faced with rising electricity demand, China has stepped up efforts to ensure adequate power supply.

The National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, recently urged related authorities to keep a close eye on the impact of economic activities and weather changes on power demand and accordingly make prompt readjustments to the emergency response plan.

Efforts should also improve the generating capacity of all types of electric generators. Cross-region electricity transmission and emergency backup power supply should also improve, it said.