South China Morning Post:

As China progresses towards the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and the objective of building a new power system with new energy as the mainstay, the proportion of new energy in the power grid system is gradually increasing. However, this also brings various challenges, including the excessive distributed PV installations in some regions. This leads to reverse power flow and affects grid stability. What measures will be taken to promote the utilization and integration of renewable energy power generation? Thank you.

Zhang Jianhua:

Thank you for your question. I will invite Mr. Du Zhongming to answer it.

Du Zhongming:

Indeed, the issue you raised is very important, and we are continuously strengthening monitoring and conducting in-depth research. As Mr. Zhang Jianhua mentioned, China's installed power capacity has reached 3 billion kilowatts. Last year, the installed capacity of non-fossil energy in China exceeded 50%, historically surpassing the installed capacity of fossil energy. With the further acceleration of new energy development, by the end of April this year, the cumulative installed capacity of wind and PV power generation in China exceeded 1.1 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of about 38%, significantly increasing the demand for utilization and integration. To improve the power system's ability to accommodate new energy, we need to accelerate the construction of supporting grid projects for new energy and urge grid companies to optimize grid connection processes. This year, we are focusing on promoting the construction and commissioning of 33 key projects, including the Sichuan-Chongqing 1,000kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) alternative current (AC) project and the Qinghai Hongqi 750kV transmission and transformation project. Additionally, we will accelerate the construction of 37 key projects, including the Shaanbei-Anhui UHV direct current (DC) project and the Gansu-Zhejiang UHV DC project, to provide strong support for new energy consumption. Furthermore, we are actively promoting the adjustment of system regulation capabilities and the coordinated development of grid sources. We will maximize the role of the power grid as a resource allocation platform, flexibly adjust the mode of dispatch and operation, and enhance inter-provincial mutual assistance and resource-sharing capabilities. In addition, we have optimized the new energy utilization rate targets, allowing for more flexible targets for some areas with favorable resource conditions, but generally not lower than 90%, and we conduct dynamic assessments based on the annual consumption situation. While enhancing the consumption capacity of the power grid, we have also proposed measures to improve the comprehensive carrying capacity of the distribution network. Regarding the distributed PV challenges you mentioned, they mostly occur on the distribution network side. To meet the requirements of large-scale development of distributed new energy, we will strengthen the construction and transformation of the distribution network, build a strong and flexible grid structure, enhance the level of intelligence, and improve the dispatch operation mechanism. By 2025, the distribution grid will be able to accommodate about 500 million kilowatts of distributed new energy.

Next, we will focus on constructing a new power system. We will guide local energy authorities, power enterprises, and various dispatched agencies to earnestly implement relevant requirements. We will adopt multiple measures to ensure the effective accommodation of new energy power, promote the construction of a new energy supply and consumption system, and provide solid support for the high-quality development of new energy.

Thank you!