Summary
China leads the world in ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power transmission, with 48,000km of UHV lines connecting remote renewable energy sources, like wind, solar, and hydropower, to urban centers.
UHV lines minimize energy loss over long distances, earning them the nickname “bullet trains for power.”
Initially designed for coal and hydro, these lines now support China’s renewable energy expansion.
However, challenges remain, including high costs, dependence on coal for stability, and limited local integration.
Globally, countries like Brazil and India are adopting UHV, but regulatory and cost barriers hinder broader deployment, especially in the U.S.
It sure took a long time to get down to this part:
In 2022, 56.2% of the electricity transmitted by UHV lines in China came from renewable sources, beating the government’s target of “no less than 50%”. But most of this was hydropower – which China classes as renewable and clean – a government report showed. While hydropower does not rely on fossil fuels, it has other environmental drawbacks, such as harming river health and releasing methane. The portion for wind and solar carried on the UHV lines is much lower, averaging 27.25%, according to an analysis of the report by Chinese thinktank Lingdian Energy.
