New power connection in remote Yunnan starts up - LATEST NEWS

A 35-kilovolt power interconnection project started up in Dulongjiang, a remote township in Yunnan province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A 35-kilovolt power interconnection project was put into operation on Wednesday in Dulongjiang, a remote township in Yunnan province, China Southern Power Grid announced, marking the end of eight years of independent power in the town after it was connected to the power company's main network.

Construction crews spent 22 months finishing the 52-kilometer power circuit that passes through high-altitude areas.

"We invested 280 million yuan ($41.2 million) into the project, which can provide a better electricity supply to more than 4,000 residents," said Li Qingjiang, manager of China Southern's infrastructure department.

Construction crews work to build the 35-kilovolt power connection in Dulongjiang, Yunnan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"To minimize the impact of the project on the ecology along the line, we set construction standards and installed monitoring devices across snowy mountain areas," he said. "These measures ensure that the line can withstand snow, freezing and mudslides."

The new line has a capacity of 16,000 kilovolt-amperes, 10 times what was available in the past, said He Shancong, director of the town's power station.

"It has the characteristics of stronger disaster resistance and more stable and sufficient supply," he said. "Data from the trial operation shows that the electricity consumption in the first quarter went up 28 percent year-on-year. Residents no longer have to worry about an insufficient power supply."

Construction crews work to build the 35-kilovolt power connection in Dulongjiang, Yunnan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]