Wucaiwan North 750 kV Project Energized, Boosting Xinjiang's Power Supply for Peak Winter Demand

The completion of the first phase of power transmission at the Wucaiwan North 750 kV substation on November 19 marked the official live-line operation of this power transmission and transformation project.

Aerial photo of the Wucaiwan North 750 kV substation located in Xinjiang Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone. (Photo by Ma Yuan)

As a key project under Xinjiang's 14th Five-Year Plan and a vital component in enhancing the East Tianshan Ring Network, the current phase of the Wucaiwan North 750 kV Transmission and Transformation Project covers three sets of main transformers, eight 750 kV outgoing lines, and ten 220 kV outgoing lines. The project lines extend from the newly built Wucaiwan North 750 kV substation to the critical Wubei 750 kV substation, a key node in the Wuchang Ring Network. The project connects Xinjiang Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jimsar County, Fukang County-level City, and Wujiaqu County-level City. In total, 744 new towers have been built along the entire project, and the length of the new lines is 347 kilometers.

The project lines span a diverse and challenging landscape, crossing dense power corridors in the Xinjiang Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone, coal mining exploration sites, farmland, and the Gurbantünggüt Desert. Over 40 types of crossing operations have been completed. Notably, more than half of the lines traverse fragile desert ecosystems, where vegetation restoration presents significant challenges.

The Wucaiwan North-Wubei 750 kV Transmission Line Project traverses the Junggar Basin. (Photo by Ma Yuan)

Power employees install the main transformer's potential transformer conductors at the Wucaiwan North 750 kV substation on October 12. (Photo by Ma Yuan)

Since the beginning of winter, Xinjiang's economic growth has driven a rise in electricity demand, with Xinjiang's power grid peak load surpassing 50 million kilowatts.

Wucaiwan North 750 kV Transmission and Transformation Project. (Photo by Ma Yuan)

Currently, nine of the ten critical Xinjiang power grid projects aimed at meeting the 2025 peak winter demand have been completed or are already in live-line operation. The remaining Kuqa-Aral-Maralbexi 750 kV Transmission and Transformation Project is advancing rapidly and is expected to be put into operation before year-end. Together, these projects will significantly strengthen regional power capacity and establish a robust energy security framework, ensuring all ethnic communities in Xinjiang stay warm throughout the winter. (By Shao Ping, Fu Yabin, and Zhang Xing)