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Service sector driving up power use

Power use surged in China last year, boosted by increased consumption from the service sector, official data showed on Monday. Electricity consumption grew five percent year-on-year to 5.9 trillion kilowatt-hours, according to the National Energy Administration. Electricity consumed by the service sector surged 11.2 percent last year, against the 5.3-percent growth and 2.9-percent increase in the agricultural and industrial sectors in the period. Power consumption is a key measure of economic activity, with the latest numbers confirming the growth momentum amid the ongoing restructuring of the world's second biggest economy.