Shaoxing's low-carbon hike traces green power route

A hiking event in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, brought the "dual carbon" goals to life on Nov 22. Organized by State Grid Shaoxing Power Supply Company and the Zhuji Leisure Mountaineering Association, the "Gansu Power to Zhejiang Low-Carbon Journey" allowed participants to walk the route of a major energy project.

The hiking event starts in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, on Nov 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Gansu-Zhejiang ±800 kV UHV DC Project, a 2,370-kilometer energy artery, will deliver about 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to Zhejiang starting in 2026. Over half will be green power, cutting coal use by 6.4 million metric tons and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 17 million tons each year.

Participants hike along the route. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Zhuji, a county-level city in Shaoxing, a 5.5 billion yuan ($777.51 million), 48-kilometer section crosses five townships. The 15-kilometer hike mirrored this path, connecting low-carbon sites like PV-storage charging piles, a solar-powered 5G base station, a hydropower station, and an energy storage station before ending at a 110-kV substation.

Participants learn about 5G base stations. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Participants said that the activity helped them understand how electricity from Gansu is transmitted and distributed, gaining a better understanding of green energy's journey from production and transmission to storage and consumption.

The project exemplifies the "Fengqiao Experience", where community cooperation and shared responsibility ensure support for the infrastructure enabling a greener future.