Waterborne Blooms Welcome Spring Again: Green Power Safeguards Eco-Tourism—State Grid Taizhou Powers Qianhuo Rapeseed Festival with Clean Energy, Boosting Green Economy

Amid winding waterways in the heart of Xinghua, a 750-year-old “floating field” water town in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, the annual Qianhuo Rapeseed Flower Cultural Tourism Festival is set to open grandly this March. State Grid Taizhou Power Supply Company, aligned with China’s “dual carbon” goals, is driving the creation of a “zero-carbon scenic area” through shore power upgrades, smart charging networks, and rural electrification, injecting green vitality into the 35,000-acre waterborne flower sea.

As the rapeseed flowers approach peak bloom, the Qianhuo Scenic Area showcases a golden tapestry of waterways with its iconic landscape: “Rivers curve with emerald flows; no mound lacks golden glow.” Twenty-six all-electric sightseeing boats now glide silently across the water—10 more than in 2022—eliminating exhaust and noise pollution. “As a pioneer all-electric scenic area in Jiangsu, our electrification initiatives enhance visitor experiences while protecting the Lixiahe wetlands’ ecology,” said the area’s manager. To ensure reliable power during the festival, State Grid Taizhou has completed facility inspections and upgraded six shore power clusters with smart technology.

Addressing surging demand for EV charging, the company launched a “fixed + mobile” charging model. Eight adjustable mobile charging units in parking lots ease congestion, while five underused chargers nearby were temporarily relocated to core zones. A “scan-to-charge with subsidies” policy impressed visitor Mr. Wang: “Charging here is easier than using navigation!” Daily charging volume has surged 230% year-on-year.

In Dongluo Village, three kilometers from the scenic area, upgraded grids now support a cluster of all-electric homestays nestled among traditional brick-tiled houses. By early 2025, the village has eliminated 12 coal boilers and wood-burning stoves, cutting annual CO₂ emissions by over 20 metric tons. State Grid Xinghua’s “Bright Water Town” service team has conducted 12 targeted inspections this year, ensuring stable power for 25 homestays and restaurants.

In 2024, State Grid Taizhou invested 340 million yuan to upgrade 288 kilometers of rural grids in Xinghua, prioritizing power quality in the floating field regions. Through innovations like “village-grid partnership” power stations, it aims to boost the Lixiahe Ecological Economic Demonstration Zone. “We’ll advance smart grid systems to revitalize agrarian heritage and support Jiangsu’s modernization blueprint,” said the company’s marketing director. (By Wu Junyang and Yang Yi)