In July 2025, electricity consumption in China’s first industry (primarily agriculture) rose by over 20% year-on-year, far exceeding rural retail and catering growth. This unusual increase may be linked to high-energy military facilities and some data centers located in mountainous areas, reflecting the unique logic behind sensitive project registration and site selection.
1. Official Data Overview
According to the National Energy Administration and National Bureau of Statistics:
First-industry electricity consumption: 17 billion kWh, +20.2% YoY
Rural retail sales: 516 billion CNY, +3.9% YoY
Catering revenue: 450.4 billion CNY, +1.1% YoY
While rural retail and catering growth remains modest, first-industry electricity use shows a sharp rise, suggesting non-agricultural factors may be involved.
2. Mountain-Based Military Facilities and Potential Data Centers
a. CASC Qinling Rocket Engine Facility
Video link: Rumble Video 1
Location: Deep in the Qinling mountains, highly concealed.
Processes: Engine assembly, fuel handling, test stands.
High Energy Demand: Manufacturing and testing rocket engines are energy-intensive, with independent power systems ensuring continuous operation.
Secrecy & Registration Logic: Remote or underground facilities may be officially registered under forestry or research projects to avoid exposing sensitive information.
b. China Gezhouba Group Chongqing Mountain Explosives Factory
Video link: Rumble Video 2
Location: Deep mountainous areas in Chongqing, using natural terrain for concealment.
Processes: Raw material mixing, pressing, forming, packaging.
Safety Measures: Blast walls, fire prevention systems, emergency exits.
Energy Supply: Independent and backup power systems for high-energy operations.
c. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO), and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASIC) operate high-energy-consuming military factories in forested and mountainous areas:
CNNC: Chongqing's 816 underground nuclear plant and "underground Great Wall" tunnel system, both of which are energy-intensive and concealed.
China North Industries Group: Military production plants for explosives, missiles, and other products in forested and mountainous areas in northern China.
CASIC and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC): Core manufacturing and R&D operations are often located in mountainous or forested areas for enhanced confidentiality and security, while testing and launch operations are conducted in open areas.
These facilities are likely registered as forestry projects and statistically classified as primary industry electricity consumption, potentially leading to an abnormal increase in agricultural electricity consumption.
d. Potential Data Centers
Some large-scale or surveillance-related data centers may be in mountain areas, e.g., in Shaoguan, Guangdong, leveraging geographic concealment and independent power and network systems.
High energy consumption and concealment may also result in these facilities being recorded under first-industry electricity usage.
Registration and Secrecy Logic
Highly sensitive projects directly registered as “industrial” risk disciplinary or even criminal consequences for officials.
Party disciplinary and audit personnel focus on irregular registrations due to national security, energy use, and funding implications.
Therefore, many projects are registered under forestry or other cover categories to reduce accountability risk while making their true purpose difficult to detect externally.
3. Data Anomaly Logic Chain
High-energy consumption by military factories or data centers → First-industry electricity rises sharply
Agricultural output does not enter the consumer market → Rural retail and catering growth remains low
Concealed location and registration → Military facilities and data centers are difficult to identify in official statistics
This chain suggests electricity anomalies may be closely related to sensitive facility operations rather than ordinary agricultural activity.
4. Conclusion
July first-industry electricity use rose +20.2% YoY, far above consumption growth.
Mountain-based nuclear, explosives, aerospace facilities, and some data centers may be major contributors.
Sensitive projects are often registered under forestry categories to reduce accountability risk and evade direct oversight.
Electricity anomalies can serve as an important indicator for potential military operations or high-energy, concealed facilities.
