China's highest power transmission project enters operation in Xinjiang

(ECNS) -- China's highest 220-kilovolt power transmission and transformation project entered operation on Sunday in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Located in a mine industrial park, the project can generate electricity of 2.16 billion kilowatt-hours per year.

According to the State Grid Xinjiang branch, the 210-km powerline connects the Wutong 220kV substation in Moyu County and Lanzhuan substation with a newly built 220kV substation and 56 transmission towers in Hongliuzhen Town, Hotan County.

The highest tower of the project stands 5,390 meters above sea level. Nearly 40 percent of the transmission line in Hotan is situated above an altitude of 4,000 meters, among which 5-kilometer is over 5,000 meters. The transmission line ranges from an elevation of 1,300 meters to a maximum elevation of 5,400 meters with complex geological conditions.

Construction of the project began in February 2023 for 16 month and is proved to be quite challenging due to rockfalls, floods, storms, wind and sand, significantly slowing down the entire process.

The transmission project is the only power line that passed through seven meteorology sections in China crossing plains, deserts and mountains.