Regional electricity demand and economic transition in China

A structural shift to the tertiary sector and production reduction in heavy industries slow growth in electricity consumption in China. GDP remains as the leading factor driving electricity demand. It is projected an annual growth rate of 3.1 percent to 5.1 percent for electricity consumption in China by 2020, given that key features in China's economic transition are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. There exist regional patterns in electricity demand growth, separating the more developed regions along the eastern coast and the less-developed inland regions, due to different economic and demographic trends.