Predictions of Energy Requirements in China Raised Significantly

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China’s top energy industry regulator raised its forecast for the nation’s electricity demand in 2011 because of faster-than-estimated economic growth.

The country’s power use may increase as much as 12 percent to 4.69 trillion kilowatt-hours this year following a “good start” in economic expansion, the National Energy Administration said in a statement today. That compares with the 9 percent growth forecast made by the agency in January.

This is a huge story on many levels. Just four months ago, China predicted a 9 percent growth forecast; now that forecast has been raised 30 percent.

That is not trivial.