In China, temperatures sometimes over 40 degrees cause power consumption to skyrocket. Thus, the consumption of air conditioning increases. To save elsewhere, some local governments have now turned off street lights and raised electricity prices for businesses.
In mid-July, China’s largest power plants were producing more energy than ever before, the energy trading medium Sxcoal reported. The reason for this is high temperatures, sometimes above 40 degrees. In the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian in the east of the country, temperatures had risen above 41 degrees this weekend. A few days ago, the highest temperature recorded in Shanghai since the beginning of the measurements in 1873, namely 40.9 degrees. In general, temperatures this year are well above long-term normal values. Some areas have issued a heat warning.
People should stay indoors
The National Weather Service urged local residents to stay indoors and “stop all outdoor activities.” Fire prevention must also be considered. This, in turn, means that the power consumption for air conditioning systems increases. As this puts pressure on supplies, some local governments have since turned off street lights and raised electricity prices for businesses.
Less harvest feared
Another consequence of the high temperatures is a decrease in crop yield. The lower reaches of the Yangtze River were hit particularly hard and are said to have “negative impacts on local harvests,” said Fu Jiaolan, chief meteorologist with the National Weather Service. According to scientists, heat waves and periods of drought will increase in the coming years. In Europe, countries such as Bulgaria, Greece and Spain are currently dealing with temperatures of around 40 degrees. Emergency services there are always busy fighting forest fires.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
