Ningbo, Zhejiang: Power Distribution Network Upgrade Project Accelerates Enterprise Development

Aerial view of Qiye East Road, Zhouxiang Town, Cixi City

[Photo by Yao Kebin]

As the new year begins, all things take on a fresh look. At this crucial stage of Zhejiang's efforts to build a demonstration zone for high-quality development and common prosperity, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company ("State Grid Zhejiang" for short) has adopted a "sprinting right from the start" stance. It has focused on the electricity needs of enterprises for a strong start to the year and fully advanced the upgrading and renovation projects of the distribution network. By precisely implementing the 10-kV line transformation project from single-circuit to double-circuit, the company has injected robust "power momentum" into enterprises across the province for capacity expansion and seizing market opportunities, thus boosting the local economy to achieve a vigorous opening performance.

With the acceleration of industrial upgrading in the Yangtze River Delta region, enterprises' electricity demand has been on a steady rise, and the existing single-circuit lines in some areas are gradually struggling to meet the needs of development. Take Qiye East Road in Zhouxiang Town, Cixi City as an example: the 10-kV Zhoukai Qiye Line, a vital power supply "lifeline" for major enterprises along this road, was approaching its load saturation. In 2025, the new headquarters and factory of Ningbo Yibin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. located in this area would soon be completed and put into operation, with a newly added power consumption capacity of nearly 7,000 kVA, which placed higher requirements on power supply reliability. As a listed company supplying supporting components to major automakers such as Dongfeng Honda and SAIC-GM, the commissioning of its new factory is of strategic significance for expanding its market share. Whether the electricity demand can be met in a timely manner is directly related to the enterprise's possibility to seize the opportunities at the start of the year and achieve a leap in production capacity.

In response to enterprises' urgent electricity demands, State Grid Zhejiang adheres to the philosophy of "Power First" and deeply integrates distribution network upgrading with business environment optimization. In Cixi, State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company set up a special service team, established a green channel to handle urgent and special matters accordingly, engaged in early coordination with enterprises on their planning, and formulated scientific transformation plans for the conversion of single-circuit lines to double-circuit lines. At 6:00 on January 7, when dawn had not yet broken, Qiye East Road was already a hive of activity: emergency power supply vehicles and engineering vehicles were lined up neatly; power construction workers wearing safety helmets, full of energy, held pre-shift briefings and arranged safety measures. A time-race battle for power supply upgrading officially kicked off.

"We must race against time to accelerate progress on the premise of ensuring safety, so that enterprises can access the dual-circuit 'double insurance' power supply as soon as possible!" At the order of the on-site work supervisor, multiple teams from the company, including Zhouxiang Power Supply Station and the Live-line Operation Team, collaborated closely to erect new poles, relocate transformer substations, and install switches, carrying out all tasks in an orderly manner. To minimize the impact of construction on users to the greatest extent, the company innovatively adopted a "live-line operation + emergency power generation" model and dispatched intelligent emergency power supply vehicles to ensure the normal production of surrounding enterprises. After consecutive intensive work, the team successfully completed the relocation and reconstruction of seven line sections, erection of three new poles and installation of seven switches on the same day, winning valuable time for the enterprises to put into production as scheduled.

A photo taken onsite of the 10-kV line single-circuit to double-circuit transformation project of State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company

[Photo by Yao Kebin]

In recent years, State Grid Zhejiang has continuously increased investment in the distribution network. Through measures such as the conversion of single-circuit lines to double-circuit lines and the installation of intelligent switches, it has significantly improved the power supply reliability rate, laying a solid foundation for the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry across the province. Integrating the single-circuit to double-circuit transformation with digital reform, the company has deployed three-remote switches to achieve rapid fault location and isolation, making power consumption for enterprises more intelligent and worry-free.

"With increasingly reliable power supply support, we are more confident in expanding our investment!" commented a person in charge of Ningbo Yibin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. As the new factory goes into operation, the enterprise is expected to create over 300 new job positions and its annual output value is projected to exceed 1 billion yuan. By leveraging grid upgrading as a targeted measure to serve the overall economic development, State Grid Zhejiang has effectively stimulated the vitality of market entities and strengthened the resilience of industrial chains through accurately aligning with regional development plans and proactively deploying power infrastructure.

(By Pan Yuyi, Yao Kebin, Shi Peiwen)