In the first quarter of this year, the Qinghai-Tibet High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link's second-phase expansion project has continued to enhance its performance. The HVDC link transmitted 1.43 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Tibet, marking a year-over-year increase of over 50%. This has significantly bolstered the reliable power supply in Tibet during the winter and spring seasons, while also promoting the optimized allocation of energy resources and efficient mutual support of clean energy between Qinghai and Tibet provinces.
According to the State Grid Corporation of China, the ±400 kV Qinghai-Tibet HVDC second-phase expansion project has been fully operational since the end of September 2025. This expansion has doubled the transmission capacity from 600 megawatts to 1,200 megawatts. From its commissioning through the end of the first quarter, the expanded project has cumulatively delivered over 2.12 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Tibet and exported 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours of Tibet's surplus hydroelectric power.
The Qinghai-Tibet power interconnection project, which commenced operation in December 2011, serves as the first major "electricity sky road" into Tibet. It is a critical channel for integrating the Tibetan power grid into the national network and plays a vital role in addressing Tibet's power shortages during the dry winter and spring seasons, while enabling two-way clean energy exchange. During periods of low hydropower output in Tibet, the expanded HVDC link ensures a stable power supply. Conversely, during the abundant water flow season in summer and autumn, it facilitates the large-scale outward transmission of Tibet's clean energy, including hydro and photovoltaic power.
With the enhanced transmission capacity, the level of mutual power support and the efficiency of bidirectional resource allocation between Qinghai and Tibet have continuously improved. Qinghai province has added new power generation capacity of 10.47 gigawatts and new energy storage capacity of 1.88 gigawatts in 2025, through projects including thermal power, wind power, energy storage, and concentrated solar power. This provides stable support for Tibet's power security and the optimization of the regional energy structure.
To address challenging operational conditions such as high altitude, strong sandstorms, and permafrost, State Grid Qinghai Electric Power Company has implemented a comprehensive, full-chain operation and maintenance system. Specialized measures have been optimized for the ±400 kV Qaidam Converter Station, including enhanced equipment inspections and comprehensive hazard management to fortify the station's security. 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 ensures the refined management and safety of the 1,394 towers and 608 kilometers of transmission lines within the Qinghai section of the Qinghai-Tibet HVDC link, guaranteeing the secure and stable operation of this critical power transmission artery.
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