Surface meteorological observation is one of the most important sources of primary data for the meteorological sector and are crucial to the accuracy of weather forecasting. China’s meteorological authorities have built a dense network of surface observation stations, which require a considerable amount of electrical energy to keep the network running normally. There has been a lack of analytical studies dedicated to the energy consumption of surface meteorological observation stations domestically and internationally. This paper selects measured energy consumption data of 4 surface meteorological observation stations in two typical provinces (autonomous regions) in the north and south China over the past two years, and proposes, for the first time, to use the average power of the surface meteorological observation station, adopts the electrical energy consumption calculation method, carries out energy consumption calculation and analysis by month, sub-region and season, derives the characteristics of energy consumption changes of the surface meteorological observation station, and proposes energy saving and consumption reduction measures.