[China State Construction: Total value of new contracts from January to August 2026 down 0.3% YoY]

In August 2026, total electricity consumption exceeded 1 trillion kWh again, reaching 1,033.2 billion kWh, up 1.7% YoY. The electricity load hit a record high of 1.56 billion kW, 49.69 million kW higher than the previous year's peak load, with 7 days exceeding the previous year's peak load. By sector, primary industry electricity consumption was 16.9 billion kWh, up 2.7% YoY. Secondary industry electricity consumption was 612.4 billion kWh, up 2.4% YoY, of which industrial electricity consumption was 606.5 billion kWh, up 2.7% YoY. Electricity consumption in high-tech and equipment manufacturing maintained rapid growth momentum, reaching 122.2 billion kWh, up 7.2% YoY.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, China exported 6 million mt of steel sheets & plates in August 2026, up 6.6% YoY. Cumulative exports from January to August totaled 44.26 million mt, down 7.9% YoY. In August, China exported 1.93 million mt of steel bars, up 18.1% YoY. Cumulative exports from January to August totaled 13.86 million mt, up 13.1% YoY. In August, China exported 650,000 mt of angle steel and sections, down 1.4% YoY. Cumulative exports from January to August totaled 5.23 million mt, up 4% YoY. In August, China exported 240,000 mt of steel wire rod, down 9.1% YoY. Cumulative exports from January to August totaled 1.84 million mt, down 5.8% YoY.

The European Parliament voted 464-50 on Sept 15 to extend CBAM to downstream steel and aluminium goods such as fasteners, wire and springs, targeting carbon leakage. Eurometal president Alexander M. Julius called the vote a step forward but said scope is incomplete, implementation too slow and carbon-cost-bearing EU exporters unsupported; CBAM alone cannot offset higher steel prices and regulatory burdens. The federation wants all steel- and aluminium-intensive products covered faster, a call echoed by Germany's Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl. Eurofer backed the motion but sought stronger anti-circumvention rules; director general Axel Eggert said mills are investing billions of USD in low-carbon steel and need a level playing field. CBAM and the revised safeguard lifted 2026 prices: domestic HRC at 788 USD/tonne ex-works Ruhr and 783 USD/tonne in Italy, up 119 USD/tonne; imported HRC at 632 USD/tonne CIF Antwerp and 626 USD/tonne in Southern Europe, up 92 USD/tonne.