China plans to commission 15 new ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines between 2026 and 2030, according to China’s grid operator State Grid (China’s Central Broadcasting Network, 28/02/2026).
These new lines will enable around 200 GWh/year of renewable power to be connected to the grid and will boost China’s cross-provincial electricity transmission capacity by 35%, the operator said. The long-distance transmission lines are part of the energy regulator’s strategies for the next five-year planning period, aimed at enhancing the integration of clean energy into the grid and reducing curtailment.
The announcement follows China’s National Energy Administration’s recent statement that the country reached a new milestone by surpassing 10,000 TWh of electricity consumption in 2025. Electricity consumption has grown by an average of 6.7% per year since 2010, reaching 8,990 TWh in 2024, double the 2010 level (Enerdata Global Energy Research). According to preliminary estimates, China’s electricity consumption increased by 5% in 2025, mainly driven up by positive macroeconomic fundamentals, warmer weather, increased household electrification, electric vehicle rollout and wind power manufacturing.
In January 2026, China State Grid announced plans to invest CNY4trn (USD580bn) during its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030), a 40% increase compared to the previous plan.