China using more energy

Electricity use in 2012 about half the growth in 2011, however.

The government said the ongoing economic rebound will push China to consume 6% more electric power in 2012 or some 5 trillion kilowatt hours.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission said China used 399.8 billion kilowatt hours in October, an increase of some 6.1% year-on-year.

Power use rose 2.9% year-on-year in September and 3.6% in August. The growth was 11.7% in 2011. The commission said power use in the fourth quarter will continue to rise as the economy recovers.

Since the beginning of the year, the growth rate of the country's power use has fallen until October, the commission said.