Modern power fuels Yantai's bountiful harvest

The 8th Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival will soon kick off in Yantai, Shandong province, where thriving vineyards, abundant fisheries, and flourishing tourism illustrated a vivid picture of rural vitalization. Behind this prosperity lies a less visible but crucial element: the steady boost of reliable power.   

In Dahuchenjia village, the festival's main venue, modern vineyards and agricultural parks grow alongside a national cycling center and booming rural tourism, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. This growth relies on strong infrastructure. This year, State Grid Yantai Power Supply Company extended power lines, installed transformers, and upgraded capacity to keep farms and businesses operational. From powering smart drip irrigation to enabling cold storage and dual-source electricity supply, these improvements have helped grape growers achieve higher yields and deliver their harvests nationwide without disruption.

The company's support extends beyond equipment. Grid managers provide weekend services, offering electrical checks for local shops and guidance for festival-goers, ensuring both safety and convenience while strengthening the connection between modern services and rural life.

Yantai's harvest also unfolds at sea. On Sept 1, more than 3,600 fishing boats departed from Dongkou Port, filling the "blue granary" with rich catches. Offshore, a different harvest is taking shape: 38 wind turbines and 760,000 solar panels now form an offshore energy hub, where wind and sunlight convert into clean energy.

With a marine economy worth 290 billion yuan ($40.7 billion), Yantai has become a leader among China's coastal cities. It hosts the nation's first fixed-foundation offshore solar farm and its deepest offshore wind project. Today, more than 60 percent of the city's electricity comes from renewable sources, supporting both sustainability and long-term growth.

From fertile fields to open seas, Yantai's story is one of resilience driven by innovation. With modern energy as the driving force, the city's harvest now extends beyond grains and grapes, aiming for a brighter, sustainable future. (Edited by Hu Kaili)