China Prepares for El Nino's Impact on Energy and Agriculture

China could be forced to ramp up fossil fuel consumption this year, as meteorologists predict a significant El Nino weather event during the summer and autumn months. This could lead to disruptions in hydropower operations, exacerbated by ongoing tension in Middle Eastern fuel supplies.

The Chinese National Climate Centre forecasts that El Nino conditions will appear by May and persist throughout the year. The weather pattern, originating from warming in the central and eastern Pacific, is expected to affect the East Asian monsoon, causing potential flooding in southern China and droughts in other regions.

According to senior meteorologist Wang Yaqi, the hydropower-dependent sectors could face severe challenges, necessitating a switch to fossil fuels, which could drive up energy costs and impact imports. The situation is further complicated by energy export reductions and conflicts affecting global supply, amid risks to agricultural yields due to altered weather conditions.