China north and central grid finally connected

In a first for China, a new 640 km, 1000 kV transmission line connects its two major grids using home-grown technology.

The Jindongnan-Nanyang-Jingmen Ultra High Voltage AC demonstration project has commercialised operations after successful commissioning and trial operation. The project’s technical innovation and intellectual property rights were totally developed in China, with R&D, design and construction all accomplished by the Chinese. This project marks China's major breakthrough in long-distance, large-capacity, low-loss UHV core technology and localisation of power equipment. It also carries great significance for the optimisation of energy resource allocation, and protection of national energy security and power supply.

The project, which kicked off at the end of 2006, connects North China Power Grid and Central China Power Grid, starting from Jindongnan Substation in Shanxi Province, passes through Nanyang Switch Station in Henan Province, and ends at Jingmen Substation in Hubei Province, with transmission capacity of 3000 MVA at each end.

With Shanxi abundant in coal and Hubei abundant in hydro power, the State Grid Corporation of China aims to allocate hydro power and thermal power in an effective way, realise trans-basin power compensation and achieve peak demand adjustment through the UHVAC project. In addition, the project will promote the construction of large thermal power base and help power plants in Shanxi province turn out electricity from local coal.