Ningbo, Zhejiang: Foreign Trade Enterprises Enhance Competitiveness with Green Electricity; Green Products Gain Popularity Overseas

Recently, an electric container truck loaded with products from Ningbo Shilin Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd. in Zhejiang drove into the Meishan Port Area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port. After the truck stopped, the port's mechanical arm precisely hooked the container, and the gantry crane hoisted it, powered by green electricity. Soon, this shipment will be sent to Europe by cargo ship.

"Both the production and transportation of our company's products rely on green electricity, creating a fully closed-loop green system," explained Wang Min, Foreign Trade Director of Shilin Company.

Production is fully green. In Shilin Company's production workshop, a fully automated production line transforms bamboo into exquisite tableware. Instead of traditional electricity, the machinery is powered by wind and photovoltaic energy from the Zhejiang mountains. A real-time energy consumption monitoring screen on the wall shows that the company purchased 3,141 green certificates last year, giving each product a “green identity card.” From bamboo harvesting to product polishing, the carbon footprint of each step is meticulously recorded.

During the China-CEEC Expo, staff from State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company ensured a stable supply of green electricity, providing reliable power support for the product displays of foreign trade enterprises.

Photo by Hong Haozhe

"When the EU's carbon tariff policy was introduced, producing in the traditional way would reduce our profits by 20% just due to carbon taxes," Wang Min admitted. "Thanks to the support of the staff at State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company, who helped us with green electricity transactions and green certificate purchases, we have been able to accurately calculate and manage our carbon emissions." Now, with the advantage of green electricity production, the company's bamboo products not only avoid high carbon taxes but have also garnered significant attention from foreign merchants at trade exhibitions.

Transportation is also eco-friendly. The electric container trucks, carrying Shilin Company's products, travel along the Ningbo-Yiwu new energy heavy-duty truck route. This route, which began operations in April last year, is equipped with 6 charging stations and 4 battery swap stations, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 kg per 80-kilometer trip.

During the China-CEEC Expo, staff from State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company ensured a stable supply of green electricity.

Photo by Hong Haozhe

At Meishan Port, gantry cranes powered by green electricity handle container loading and unloading, while docked ocean-going cargo ships are connected to the intelligent shore power system. From production to transportation, a complete green supply chain has been established.

To date, over 2,000 foreign trade enterprises in Ningbo have enhanced their market competitiveness through green certificates and other measures. In the first four months of this year, the city's green electricity trading volume increased by 87% year-on-year. (Written by Xia Sheng and Yang Xinzi)