In a groundbreaking feat of engineering, electricity now travels 2,260 kilometers from China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to power-hungry Chongqing Municipality in under 0.007 seconds. The newly operational ±800 kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission line – China's third major cross-regional power project – marks a significant leap in balancing energy distribution while advancing green development goals.
Bridging the Energy Divide
The State Grid Corporation of China announced Tuesday that the Hami-Chongqing line will deliver over 36 billion kilowatt-hours annually – enough to power 15 million households. More than half this energy comes from renewable sources, equivalent to replacing 6 million tonnes of coal consumption and reducing CO2 emissions by 16 million tonnes yearly.
Desert Transformation
Xinjiang's once-barren landscapes now host 23 million kilowatts of installed new energy capacity in Hami alone. "Our deserts have become renewable energy goldmines," said a State Grid representative, noting the region's total renewable capacity now exceeds 112 million kilowatts – 55.72% of its 201 million kW total power infrastructure.
Economic & Environmental Synergy
For Chongqing's 32 million residents, the project addresses chronic energy shortages in China's only western net-importer region. Meanwhile, Xinjiang strengthens its role as a national energy hub, with UHV technology transmitting 900 billion kWh externally since 2010 – 30% from renewables – to 22 provincial-level regions.
Path to Carbon Neutrality
This infrastructure supports China's 2030/2060 climate targets, coming as renewables account for 86% of new power capacity in 2024. Analysts highlight that transmitting 100 million kW of Xinjiang's solar power eastward could replace 25 million kW of thermal plants in energy-receiving regions.
