China Invests US$3.95bn on UHV DC Transmission Line to Connect Two Regions

• 14 August 2023
• Construction Focus
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China has taken another monumental step towards its clean energy goals as the construction of an ultra-high voltage direct current (UHV DC) transmission line spanning an impressive 1,634km has commenced. The State Grid Corporation of China, the driving force behind this visionary project, revealed that it involves a substantial investment of approximately US$3.95 billion (28.1 billion CNY), according to a press release from scio.gov.cn on 12 June 2023.

This remarkable electricity transmission venture originates in the Northwest’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and spans all the way to the heartland of the central province of Hunan. With a rated voltage of ±800 kV and a transmission capacity of 8 million kW, this UHV DC transmission line is poised to revolutionize energy delivery across regions.

The true magnitude of this initiative becomes apparent when considering its projected annual impact. Upon completion, it is anticipated to supply an impressive 36 billion kWh of electricity per year to Hunan, a province that is undergoing rapid economic expansion and thus requires substantial power support.

In comparison, the power supply for Yunnan province alone from this mega project is twice as large as the whole of Cambodia, with just over 15 billion kilowatt hours (according to the latest report from the Electricity Authority of Cambodia 2022).

China’s unwavering dedication to a sustainable future is underlined by this ambitious project’s inclusion in a broader national plan, unveiled just last year. The overarching objective of the initiative is to harness clean energy sources, including wind and photovoltaic power, from the nation’s vast deserts and less developed lands.

Furthermore, this remarkable feat aligns seamlessly with China’s overarching environmental commitments. The country, striving to lead by example, has formally announced its intentions to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and to achieve complete carbon neutrality by the year 2060.

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• Energy and Environment