China has completed the construction of a 750 kV Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) power transmission project in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (north-western China). The CNY4.6bn (US$650m) project runs for 880 km between Bazhou County and Ruoqiang County, in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. Construction started in March 2023 and full operation is expected by November 2024.
The transmission project is the first 750 kV UHV power transmission line to be built across Xinjiang's desert railway. It is considered key to building a power transmission loop line around Xinjiang’s Tarim Basin. To this end, the line will be connected with another three operational and one under construction 750 kV power transmission projects.
In January 2024, State Grid announced that it would invest CNY500bn (US$70bn) in grid network construction in 2024 to develop UHV lines, ensure power supply stability and boost renewable power consumption in China. State Grid expects to complete six UHV AC lines in 2024 and start several new UHV projects during 2024.