China has recently achieved significant milestones in energy infrastructure construction, reinforcing its energy security and green development goals. Three key projects—a 750 kV ultra-high voltage power grid, the largest pumped-storage power station in western China, and a 500 MW wind power integration—have come online or commenced construction, marking a leap forward in clean energy adoption.
**Power Grid Expansion: 750 kV Ultra-High Voltage Project Goes Live** On October 30, the 750 kV ultra-high voltage power transmission project encircling the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang was officially commissioned. As China’s largest 750 kV ring network, this "power highway" increases the maximum power supply capacity in southern Xinjiang by 800–1,000 MW and enhances renewable energy absorption by over 8,000 MW. The project not only addresses local power supply bottlenecks but also strengthens cross-regional electricity transmission, converting Xinjiang’s energy resources into economic benefits while supporting national power supply stability.
**Energy Storage Upgrade: 2,800 MW Pumped-Storage Station Breaks Ground** On November 1, construction began on the Wahong pumped-storage power station in Qinghai, the largest of its kind in western China. With a total investment of RMB 15.94 billion, the facility features eight 350 MW reversible units and an annual power generation capacity of 3.36 billion kWh. Pumped-storage technology stores excess electricity by pumping water to an upper reservoir during low-demand periods and releasing it to generate power during peak hours, ensuring grid stability and balancing supply-demand fluctuations. Once operational, the station will significantly improve grid reliability and renewable energy utilization in Qinghai and the broader northwest region.
**Green Power Milestone: 500 MW Wind Farm Integrated into Grid** On October 31, the 500 MW wind power project in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai, developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, was successfully connected to the grid. Capable of delivering 1 billion kWh of clean electricity annually, the project employs a "wind + storage" hybrid model, deploying 75 wind turbines (6.7 MW each) and a planned 100 MW/400 MWh grid-forming energy storage system. This setup optimizes resource efficiency, mitigates local power shortages, and supports China’s carbon neutrality goals. Despite challenges like extreme weather and complex terrain, the project was completed in just 11 months, setting a replicable benchmark for future renewable energy initiatives in arid and high-altitude regions.
These projects underscore China’s commitment to a sustainable energy transition, leveraging technological innovation to balance economic growth with environmental objectives.