China expects sharp rise in energy demand

BEIJING, April 23 (UPI) -- The National Energy Administration in China said the country's demand for energy is growing faster than previously reported.

The NEA said demand for electricity would grow up to 12 percent in 2011 with total consumption reaching up to 4.69 trillion kilowatt hours, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Saturday.

In January, the NEA estimated China's demand for electricity would grow 9 percent this year compared to 2010.

The NEA also released new figures on the expected demand for gas and oil, which is now forecast to grow 7.5 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

Demand for petroleum products is expected to rise fastest in the summer as more Chinese consumers take to the roads. Automobile sales are expected to rise 11 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, with more than 19 million vehicle sales expected this year.