Yan'an strengthens power grid for greener growth

Yan'an, a former revolutionary base in Shaanxi province, is upgrading its power grid to support renewable energy development, industrial growth, and a more reliable electricity supply.

State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co's wind power projects in Shaanxi. [Photo/WeChat account of State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co]

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co Yan'an branch built four 330-kilovolt and six 110-kV substations, completed 1,034 distribution network projects, and upgraded more than 1,100 kilometers of lines.

The company plans to invest 19.16 billion yuan ($2.87 billion) over the next five years, including new 330-kV, 110-kV, and 35-kV substations, to improve grid resilience and raise power supply reliability to 99.99 percent.

State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co employees inspect power supply facilities. [Photo/WeChat account of State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co]

Yan'an is also strengthening its role as a renewable energy hub, with the 1,055-km northern Shaanxi-Anhui ±800-kV ultra-high-voltage direct current transmission project, which began operation on June 30. It can deliver more than 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Anhui annually, with renewable energy accounting for over half of the total. A separate 750-kV transmission project has also increased southward electricity transmission capacity to 10 million kW.

The upgraded grid is also supporting local industries. In Luochuan county, power distribution improvements from 2022 to 2025 benefited 12 apple businesses and 15 orchards, helping ensure reliable cold storage, sorting, and cold-chain logistics.