Grid upgrade strengthens island resilience against floods and typhoons

On May 6, the successful completion of a new-generation power grid upgrade project in Jishan Township marked a major improvement in the island grid's resistance to strong winds, corrosion and lightning strikes. Through its "one island, one solution" approach, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power has accelerated grid modernization across island communities, providing a solid response to the challenges of flood and typhoon preparedness.

Jishan Island, located off the eastern coast of Yuhuan in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, covers just 1.57 square kilometers and is home to around 600 permanent residents. As a remote fishing island exposed to harsh marine conditions, its power infrastructure has long faced erosion from strong sea winds and salt-laden air, leading to severe equipment aging and mounting operational pressure. This year, Jishan Island and more than 20 other high-risk islands were placed on a priority upgrade list to improve grid resilience and reliability.

Under the overall coordination of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power, the local power supply company dispatched technical specialists to conduct on-site surveys on Jishan Island. Based on the island's geographic conditions, typical typhoon paths and local electricity consumption patterns, the team developed a tailored renovation plan focused on enhancing wind resistance, anti-corrosion capability and lightning protection.

Despite challenges such as inconvenient transportation, limited docking conditions for large vessels, difficult material delivery and rapidly changing sea weather, power workers adopted a coordinated operating model combining live-line maintenance, generator-supported temporary power supply and phased construction. Crews traveled to the island in batches to minimize disruptions to residents' daily life and local production activities.

At the same time, targeted "one homestay, one solution" services were introduced for the island's concentrated bed-and-breakfast areas. Power workers carried out inspections to identify and eliminate potential electrical safety hazards, ensuring reliable electricity supply during both the peak tourism season and the typhoon season.

In recent years, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power has continued to strengthen long-term operation and maintenance mechanisms for coastal and remote island grids, optimize emergency repair procedures, and expand its "storm-ready" power supply guarantee system to more high-risk areas. The company has also summarized and standardized best practices for island distribution network construction across Zhejiang Province.

With a more resilient and reliable grid, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power is helping coastal communities weather flood and typhoon seasons safely while supporting the high-quality development of island fisheries and cultural tourism industries.