Sichuan's rolling blackouts pose litmus test for China economy

Facing heat wave and drought, inland province scrambles to ensure power supply

20230719N China power

Sichuan is at risk of a peak power shortfall of 7.5 million kilowatts this summer. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writer

CHENGDU, China -- Sichuan province began rotating outages as sweltering temperatures boost demand for electricity while drought threatens supplies in the region dependent on hydropower.

The measures taken by the inland province are expected to serve as a yardstick for China as a whole, with Beijing making an all-out effort to ensure power supplies can keep up with demand amid heat waves.

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