BEIJING, June 10 -- The State Grid Corporation of China has announced the commencement of an 800 kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) direct current transmission project linking Xinjiang's Hami to Chongqing, a significant milestone in China's energy transmission infrastructure.

This project allows electricity generated from Xinjiang, noted for its abundant wind and solar resources, to be transmitted to Chongqing, located 2,260 kilometers away, in just 0.007 seconds.

This initiative is the third major project in China's west-to-east power transmission program designed to transport electricity from the resource-rich region of Xinjiang to other parts of the country.

The transmission line is projected to deliver over 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to Chongqing, with more than half of this energy sourced from renewable initiatives.

This shift towards renewable energy is anticipated to result in the conservation of approximately 6 million tonnes of coal and a reduction of about 16 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The project is expected to stimulate economic growth in both the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chongqing Municipality, promote coordinated development in the regions, enhance rural revitalization efforts, and contribute to improvements in public welfare, according to information provided by the State Grid Corporation.

As a key generator of this new energy, Hami is expected to reach an installed power capacity of approximately 23 million kilowatts by the end of 2024. In contrast, Chongqing, which has a population of roughly 32 million, is identified as a net importer of energy and currently faces a significant energy deficit.

The strategic importance of this project reflects Xinjiang's ambition to establish itself as a vital energy supply base for China.

Historically seen as an area with economic challenges, its extensive deserts and arid landscapes have become a renewable energy hub, recognized for strong wind currents and high solar insolation.

Recent reports indicate that Xinjiang's total installed power capacity has surged to 201 million kilowatts, with renewables constituting 112 million kilowatts, or 55.72 percent, of this total.

Despite this substantial capacity, Xinjiang's local energy demand cannot completely utilize the immense power output, resulting in a surplus that adds to the energy demands of the eastern provinces.

The UHV transmission projects play a crucial role in mitigating these difficulties, characterized by low transmission losses and extensive capacity.

Since 2010, Xinjiang has transmitted over 900 billion kilowatt-hours of power outside the region, with renewable energy accounting for about 30 percent of that total, reaching 22 provincial-level regions across China.

The transition to renewable energy from Xinjiang to the eastern and central areas is projected to decrease reliance on thermal power installations in those areas by 25 million kilowatts, according to calculations from the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd.

As part of its broader environmental objectives, China has committed to achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, with 86 percent of newly installed power capacity in 2024 emerging from renewable sources, bringing the cumulative installed renewable capacity to a historic high of 56 percent of the national total.