Innovation Norway Sends a Letter of Thanks: Efficient Power Supply Services Win International Recognition

On March 11, Henning Kristoffersen, a Counselor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in China and Head of Innovation Norway China, sent a letter to express sincere gratitude to State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "State Grid Zhejiang") for its professional support and efficient services during the construction of the land-based Atlantic salmon farm in Xiangshan for Nordic Aqua (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Nordic Aqua (Ningbo)"). Kristoffersen highly commended the sound business environment in Xiangshan, as well as the professional competence and efficiency of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power.

As Asia's first large-scale land-based salmon farm adopting an RAS (recirculating aquaculture system), the farm, located in Gaotangdao Township, Xiangshan, leverages Norway-originated RAS to break the traditional fishery's dependence on natural waters. It is not only a key foreign-invested project introduced to the local agricultural sector but also an important platform for fisheries cooperation and economic and trade exchanges between China and Norway. The project has received positive remarks from foreign dignitaries, including Vebjørn Dysvik, Norwegian Ambassador to China.

To support the project's implementation, the Xiangshan County People's Government funded the construction of a 35kV power line and substation, saving the enterprise from making a substantial upfront investment. As the core power service provider, State Grid Xiangshan Power Supply Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "State Grid Xiangshan") took the initiative to meet the enterprise's needs. In response to challenges such as long-distance 10 kV power lines and unstable voltage at the initial stage, the company set up a special team to conduct on-site surveys on Gaotang Island, overcame topographical constraints to redesign the power routes, and completed the cross-island power transmission and substation project in just six months. This efficiency has been hailed as "an extraordinary achievement" by Innovation Norway.

"9,700 volts – this means the prerequisite for the normal operation of salmon farming equipment," said Li Yongjun, Director of Hepu Power Supply Station of State Grid Xiangshan. Li has been deeply engaged in power services for Gaotang Island for 26 years, playing an active role from the investment attraction stage of the project. Li gained an in-depth understanding of the power consumption patterns of RAS, and is well aware of the importance of power stability in each segment. For these requirements, State Grid Xiangshan has built a multi-level security system combining "dual circuits and standby generators", laying out both primary and backup power lines to achieve switching in milliseconds in case of failure, completely eliminating the enterprise's concerns about power outages.

"The second-phase facilities are gradually being put into use. The power supply company coordinated in advance and expanded the power lines in step with the project's progress without any delay. It's truly amazing," said Andreas Thorud, General Manager of Nordic Aqua (Ningbo), noting that the "Xiangshan Speed" exceeded expectations. At present, the farm has an annual production capacity of 4,000 tons. Once the second-phase facilities become fully operational, the capacity will double. Upon completion of the third-phase ones, the total capacity is expected to reach 20,000 tons. Thorud stated: "Stable power supply and Ningbo's excellent business environment have given us the confidence to expand production, so that more people can enjoy fresh salmon."

The fruitful cooperation of mutual trust built on efficient power supply services has also won high recognition from the Norwegian authorities. In his thank-you letter, Kristoffersen clearly stated that Innovation Norway will promote the dedication and professionalism of State Grid Xiangshan when introducing Xiangshan to more Norwegian investors in the future, and looks forward to further deepening cooperation in the further expansion plans of Nordic Aqua (Ningbo).

(By Chen Xiaomin)