In the first quarter of this year, the ±400 kV Qinghai-Tibet HVDC Phase II expansion project continued to enhance its operational efficiency. The Qinghai-Tibet HVDC link transmitted 1.43 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Tibet, representing an increase of over 50% compared to the same period last year. This has effectively ensured reliable power supply in Tibet during the winter and spring seasons, while promoting the optimized allocation of energy resources and the efficient mutual exchange of clean energy between Qinghai and Tibet.
The Qinghai-Tibet grid interconnection project, commissioned in December 2011, is the first "electricity sky road" to enter Tibet. It serves as a core channel connecting the Tibet power grid to the main grid and is a key project addressing Tibet's power shortages during the dry winter and spring seasons, enabling bidirectional clean energy exchange.
To meet growing electricity demand, State Grid completed the Qinghai-Tibet HVDC Phase II expansion project within a year and a half, increasing transmission capacity from 600,000 kilowatts to 1.2 million kilowatts—doubling its power transmission capability. The project officially commenced operations at the end of September 2025.
During the winter and spring seasons, when hydropower output in Tibet is insufficient, the expanded Qinghai-Tibet HVDC link ensures a stable power supply to Tibet through high-capacity transmission. Conversely, during the abundant water flow period in summer and autumn, it facilitates the large-scale outward transmission of Tibet's clean energy sources, such as hydropower and photovoltaic power.
From the project's commissioning to the end of the first quarter, it cumulatively transmitted over 2.12 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Tibet and exported 390 million kilowatt-hours of surplus hydropower from Tibet.
With the enhanced transmission channel capacity, the level of mutual power support and resource allocation efficiency between Qinghai and Tibet continues to improve. Following the commissioning of thermal power, wind power, energy storage, and solar thermal power projects, Qinghai added 10.47 gigawatts of new power generation capacity and 1.88 gigawatts of new energy storage capacity in 2025, providing stable support for Tibet's power supply and regional energy structure optimization.
To address challenging operational conditions such as high altitude, strong wind and sand, and permafrost, State Grid Qinghai Electric Power Company has systematically improved its full-process, end-to-end operation and maintenance support system. The company optimized specialized operational measures for the ±400 kV Qaidam Converter Station, strengthened special equipment inspections and comprehensive hazard management, and comprehensively reinforced the converter station's safety defenses.
The "Tanggula Eagle" power line maintenance team, stationed on the front lines, employs a three-dimensional inspection model combining drone patrols, online monitoring, and manual special inspections. This approach ensures meticulous management and control of the 1,394 towers and 608 kilometers of transmission lines in the Qinghai section of the Qinghai-Tibet HVDC link, guaranteeing the safe and stable operation of this critical power transmission artery.
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