Wuhan, Hubei: Planting Camellia Oleifera Under High-Voltage Transmission Towers Delivers Dual Benefits of Grid Protection and Higher Income

Recently, Cheng Xinggan, the Party branch secretary of Siwugang Village in Huangpi District, Wuhan, received 1,200 camellia oleifera saplings from State Grid Wuhan Electric Power Company.

Volunteers from State Grid Wuhan Electric Power Company planting camellia oleifera saplings under a high-voltage transmission corridor

 Photo by Chen Gang

More than 60 power volunteers, together with villagers from Siwugang Village, shoveled earth and mounded soil under towering transmission towers to plant camellia oleifera saplings. This special tree-planting event in the "power corridor" not only made the landscape greener but also opened up a new path toward the harmonious coexistence of ecological protection, grid safety, and rural prosperity.

Volunteers planting camellia oleifera saplings under a high-voltage transmission corridor

 Photo by Chen Gang

When camellia oleifera is planted on a large scale under high-voltage transmission towers, the plants remain at a safe distance from the overhead power conductors. This poses no threat to grid operation, while their root systems help conserve soil and water and improve the environment.

A total of 1,200 camellia oleifera saplings were planted in a 1.07-hectare (16-mu) area under the high-voltage transmission corridor. They will enter the high-yield period in three years and are expected to generate a stable annual income of nearly RMB 100,000 for the village collective.

From simple "greening" to a systematic approach that promotes both "safety" and "prosperity," this Arbor Day event in Huangpi, Wuhan has gone beyond traditional greening and created a win-win cycle of "safety-ecology-economy." (By Wang Xin)

Camellia oleifera sapling planting site

 Photo by Zhang Heng