State Grid Kuitun Power Supply Company’s Key Construction Project Gains Momentum Amidst Chilly Conditions

In the piercing cold of December 7th, the Xiayedi to Shihezi West π into Shihezi 220kV Transmission Line project was abuzz with machinery. Workers were in full force, stringing conductors between towers 70 to 80. After 273 days of relentless effort, the construction team from State Grid Kuitun Power Supply Company has stood firm in their positions, battling through snow and extreme cold, working tirelessly to ensure that the annual key infrastructure project is completed on schedule, safeguarding the stable operation of the power grid during the peak winter season.

Electricity is the engine of economic growth. In recent years, the Eighth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, based in Shihezi City, has been implementing strategies to convert its advantageous resources and to drive growth through large enterprises and groups. They have actively absorbed the gradual transfer of industries from the eastern regions and vigorously promoted investment attraction, leading to a steady increase in electricity demand. The construction of this project is primarily aimed at meeting the growing load needs of the Eighth Division, providing a conduit for new energy transmission and consumption in Shihezi, ensuring the city’s power grid remains safe and stable.

“The transmission line spans a total of 23.693 kilometers, with 82 steel towers and a tension ratio of 56%,” explained Liu Ziyu, the project manager. “Construction kicked off on April 10th, 2024, with plans to start operations in December. We are currently 92% complete, with the focus now on stringing lines and installing attachments.”

The project’s route traverses the Shihezi Mushroom Lake Reservoir, the North Lake Reservoir, and tributaries of the Manas River, an area rich in water resources and high humidity. Since winter construction began, the team has had to deal with persistent fog and cold spells. Despite these challenges, the construction team has overcome numerous obstacles, deploying over 180 workers and managers, 10 platform vehicles, and 10 crane trucks to maximize safety and efficiency on the site.

The line is situated in the agricultural zones between Shihezi and Shawan cities, with its path heavily influenced by prime farmland, ecological redlines, existing power lines, and national highways. There are few options for the line’s direction, and the tower base land occupation is subject to many restrictions, only able to occupy some marginal plots, which significantly impacts the complexity of the construction. “The constraints are complex, leading to many turns in the line and a tension ratio as high as 56%, far exceeding typical lines,” said Tang Zhipeng, the construction project manager. “The line uses a variety of tower types, including angle steel towers, steel pipe poles, narrow-based towers, and special-shaped towers, totaling about 18 types. The project involves numerous intersections and crossings, including 37 times over 750kV, 220kV, 10kV lines, and national highways, and the modification of about 1.6 kilometers of 10kV lines.”

As the Xiayedi to Shihezi West π into Shihezi 220kV Transmission Line project progresses, it will play a pivotal role in the regional power network. Once completed, the line will create a power connection between the Shihezi 750kV Substation and the Shihezi West Substation (44.58 kilometers) and between the Shihezi 750kV Substation and the Xiayedi 220kV Substation (89.17 kilometers). This will greatly optimize the allocation of regional power resources, enhance the stability and reliability of power supply, and provide a solid foundation for the economic development and residential power needs of Shihezi, Shawan, and surrounding areas.