URUMQI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A 220kV power transmission and transformation project located in a rare metal mine industrial park in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was completed on Saturday, according to the State Grid Corporation of China.
The project, with a total investment of about 586 million yuan (about 82.2 million U.S. dollars), is 210 km long, crossing plains, deserts and mountains. The project consists of one 220kV substation and 560 towers. The highest tower stands 5,390 meters above sea level, 47.3 meters higher than the previously highest tower located in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
Nearly 40 percent of the transmission line is situated above an altitude of 4,000 meters, among which 5 km is over 5,000 meters. Construction of the project proved to be quite challenging due to rockfalls, floods, storms, wind and sand, significantly slowing down the entire process.
The construction began in February 2023 and is expected to enter operation by the end of July. The fragile plateau ecology has been fully taken care of, and suitable plants have been grown to prevent soil erosion throughout the whole process, according to the project builder.
