A newly operational ±800 kV ultra‑high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission line now carries electricity from Hami in Xinjiang to Chongqing, spanning an impressive 2,260 km. The journey takes a mere 0.007 seconds – almost instantaneous given the distance.
This marks China’s third major infrastructure link sending power from Xinjiang’s wind and solar farms to other regions. Designed to supply Chongqing—a net energy importer with a population of roughly 32 million—it will deliver over 36 billion kWh annually, with more than half sourced from renewables.
By using low-loss UHVDC technology, the project avoids wasting clean energy and reduces dependency on coal. It’s estimated to save about 6 million tonnes of coal every year and cut CO₂ emissions by around 16 million tonnes.
Xinjiang now boasts 23 GW of new energy capacity within its power grid. Overall, the region’s total capacity has grown to 201 GW, with renewable sources accounting for 112 GW – that’s nearly 56 percent of the total. Despite this, local demand falls well short of supply, making long‑distance transmission essential.
Since 2010, Xinjiang has transmitted over 900 billion kWh to 22 regions across China, with renewables making up roughly 30 percent of that volume. Infrastructure like this one plays a key role in China’s “west‑to‑east” power transfer scheme, relieving energy-hungry regions and contributing to UK‑style rural revitalisation and economic balance.
By shifting solar and wind-generated electricity east, the line helps China approach its climate targets—peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. In 2024 alone, 86 percent of new installed power capacity nationwide was renewable, pushing the total share of renewables above 56 percent.
Source: Xinhua
