Stable power supply illuminates path to thriving agriculture

On the 10th day of the Chinese New Year, at a vegetable cultivation base in Heshangyang village in Xuchang, Henan province, growers are hard at work, inspecting the growth of carrots in the greenhouse.

"Thanks to the reliable electricity supply, our irrigation needs were never delayed last year. It was another year of bountiful harvests, with yields reaching over 8,000 kilograms per mu (0.06 hectare)," said Yang Tongqi, a contracted farmer.

Heshangyang village, which is known for its sandy soil, is highly conducive to the cultivation of cash crops. Rotating between onions, carrots, and potatoes, the village took the lead at the end of 2020, guiding farmers to develop more than 220 hectares of land for carrot cultivation, with annual exports of more than 30,000 metric tons.

In the heart of this rural renaissance, the silent conductor of electricity weaves a tale of prosperity. Taking into account the agricultural resources and industrial layout of the village, State Grid Xuchang Power Supply Co proactively planned a rural electrification project in 2021, by investing in the construction of an additional capacity of 350 kVA, with 220 meters of new 10 kV lines and 800 meters of 400 V lines.

The increased capacity has significantly improved the reliability of the power supply to the village's cultivation bases, facilitating irrigation, processing, and storage of crops, and contributing to increased collective economic income, said Yang Jingtao, Party head for Heshangyang village.

In fact, this is not the first time the village has secured its agricultural production through a reliable power supply. In August, it faced a severe drought and four new wells were added for irrigation.

Upon learning of the situation, Xuchang Power Supply Co urgently arranged for the construction of a new substation and completed installation and commissioning within a day. With an added capacity of 400 kVA, along with 300 meters of new 10 kV lines and 1,000 meters of 400 V lines, this new substation fully met the irrigation needs of nearly 67 hectares.

The power supplier's service team also made visits, regularly inspecting the 20 distribution substations in the village. They provide on-site service coordination to address users' electricity needs, conduct hazard inspections, and ensure worry-free electricity for farmers and supporting the development of the village's distinctive agriculture, said the company.

On Jan 3, a newly built drying machine in the village suddenly lost power. Although the customer's equipment was not within the scope of the supplier's repair services, the area manager took the initiative to help solve the problem.

"After a thorough check, we found that the fault was in a wire in the corner of the wall. The joint of a conductor was not properly secured during installation, causing it to loosen and result in a power outage," said Lan Junjie, the area manager from Xuchang Power Supply Co.

Yang said: "The reliable power supply and high-quality service have significantly promoted the healthy development of our agricultural economy. The collective income of the village has increased by 300,000 yuan ($41,670) each year. Moreover, the specialty crops have also benefited neighboring villagers, providing employment opportunities for over 2,000 people in nearby villages."

lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn