STORY: Coal-to-green transition redefining China's west-to-east power transmission
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Sept. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:51
LOCATION: YINCHUAN, China
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of pylons
2. various of wind and solar farms
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI QIANG, Director of the Exchange Department, Ningxia Power Exchange Center
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JIANG FEI, Head of Muhe No.1 energy storage plant in Zhongwei, Ningxia

STORYLINE:

China has put into full operation a major domestic power transmission project that sends electricity from the resource-rich west of the country to energy-consuming regions in the east.

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is a vital hub for the country's west-to-east power transmission program, supplying electricity to over 10 provinces.

In recent years, Ningxia has leveraged its abundant wind and solar resources to build a clean-energy industry amid the country's drive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

In the first half of this year, Ningxia exported 43 billion kWh of power, including nearly 10.6 billion kWh of new energy. The export of new energy is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8.91 million tonnes, according to Ningxia's electricity transaction center.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI QIANG, Director of the Exchange Department, Ningxia Power Exchange Center
"Since 2011, Ningxia has accelerated its transition from thermal power to green power in the west-to-east power transmission project. As of now, Ningxia's installed new-energy capacity accounts for over half of the regional total."

Ningxia is also beefing up efforts to build energy storage facilities.

At the Muhe No.1 energy storage plant in the city of Zhongwei, container-shaped battery packs can absorb 400,000 kWh in two hours.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JIANG FEI, Head of Muhe No.1 energy storage plant in Zhongwei, Ningxia
"Energy storage plants have the dual function of power generation and discharging. During the peak period for power generation, they can store excessive electricity, and they discharge it into the grid during the peak period of electricity consumption, effectively helping ease fluctuations in supply and demand."

According to this year's government work report, in 2023, China's installed renewable energy capacity surpassed its thermal power capacity for the first time in history, and China accounted for over half of newly installed renewable energy capacity worldwide.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yinchuan, China.
(XHTV)