A Freezing Winter Could Make China’s Power Crisis Much Worse
- Forecast shows 70-80% chance of La Nina happening this winter
- Weather pattern could force Beijing to let power prices rise
This article is for subscribers only.
The electricity crisis that’s wreaking havoc on the Chinese economy is at risk of worsening this winter if freezing weather exacerbates surging power demand and soaring fuel prices.
The chance of a La Nina -- a weather pattern that usually brings colder-than-normal temperatures to the Northern Hemisphere -- is looking more likely, which would further stretch already tight energy supplies. There’s a 70% to 80% chance of a La Nina over the winter of 2021/22, the U.S. National Weather Service said earlier this month.