Lishui, Zhejiang: Full-power support ensures robust zongzi production

At the Original Food Shared Prosperity Workshop in Sanren She ethnic group township, Suichang county, Lishui, Zhejiang, zongzi-processing machines were operating at full throttle on June 17. From rice washing and meat cutting to steaming and packaging, every step of long-shaped zongzi production is now electrified.

Behind this industrial chain, State Grid Lishui Power Supply Co (State Grid Lishui) electricity support has been ever-present, injecting strong momentum into industrial development.

To ensure worry-free electricity for long-shaped zongzi producers, State Grid Lishui planned and took effective measures. Since April, the company has dispatched staff members to various long-shaped zongzi production enterprises and shared prosperity workshops to provide "zero-distance" electricity services.

"We conduct comprehensive inspections of the enterprises' distribution lines, emergency power sources, leakage protectors, and other equipment, promptly eliminating safety hazards," said Mr Zhang, a power supply staff member who was inspecting electrical equipment at the Original Food workshop.

Stable electricity supply has boosted enterprises' confidence in their stable development. According to statistics, orders for Suichang long-shaped zongzi exceeded 9 million pieces in 2025, generating sales revenue of 180 million yuan ($11.2 million).

This has driven over 3,800 farming households to increase their income by 76 million yuan, with an average per capita increase of 20,000 yuan. Around the Dragon Boat Festival, the county employs more than 1,300 zongzi wrappers, each earning 1.5 yuan per wrapped dumpling, with daily per capita income reaching 400-500 yuan.

"In the past, manual steaming was not only smoky and sooty but also hard to control the heat. Now with electric steamers, we just set the parameters with one touch, and the temperature and humidity are automatically regulated, making the quality of long-shaped zongzi much more consistent," said Zhang Dongmei, a representative inheritor of the long-shaped zongzi craftsmanship intangible cultural heritage.

"With sufficient electricity and thriving industries, we veteran artisans have a brighter future ahead."

In serving the development of specialty industries, State Grid Lishui not only ensures people's access to electricity, but also strives to promote "better use of electricity".

Taking into account the seasonal electricity consumption patterns of the long-shaped zongzi industry, the company provides customized power solutions for producers, helping them optimize their power usage structures and reduce production costs.

At the same time, in collaboration with local government departments, it has accelerated the upgrading of rural power grids, continuously improving power supply capacity and reliability, and injecting "full-power" support into rural vitalization.

State Grid Lishui will continue to empower specialty industries with high-quality power services, safeguard the transmission of traditional craftsmanship with reliable support, and make Suichang long-shaped zongzi an ever-brighter "calling card for shared prosperity", painting a new picture of rural vitalization amid the green mountains and clear waters.