New ultra-high voltage project begins operation to deliver power from Xinjiang to Chongqing

The State Grid Corporation of China on Tuesday announced the operation of the ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project linking eastern Xinjiang's Hami with southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

This marks China's third major project to transmit electricity from energy-rich Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to other parts of the country.

The transmission line spans 2,260 kilometers and is supported by 14.2 million kilowatts of installed power capacity, including 10.2 million kilowatts from wind, solar photovoltaic, and solar thermal sources. New energy accounts for over 70 percent of the total capacity.

Xinjiang serves as a key sending hub in China's west-to-east power transmission program. The new line is expected to deliver more than 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to Chongqing's power load center, significantly enhancing the municipality's energy supply capacity.

It is also expected to contribute to economic development in both Xinjiang and Chongqing, enhance regional coordinated development, facilitate rural revitalization, and help improve public welfare, the corporation said.

The corporation now operates the world's largest ultra-high-voltage transmission network, providing strong support for ensuring a secure and reliable power supply and advancing green, low-carbon development. ■