Expert Perspectives on High-Quality Energy Development | Interpretation of the “15th Five-Year Plan” for Building a New-Type Power System (Part 3)

Accelerate the development of a new-type power grid that integrates transmission, distribution, and microgrid operations.

— Academician’s Commentary on the “15th Five-Year Plan” for Building a New-Type Power System

Since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has fully implemented a new energy security strategy and accelerated the green, low-carbon transformation of its energy sector. In July 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the second meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform that it is essential to “speed up the development of a new type of power system that is clean and low‑carbon, secure and reliable, economically efficient, coordinated between supply and demand, and flexible and smart.” With the rapid growth of new energy sources, the accelerated cultivation of new‑type productive forces, and the vigorous emergence of innovative power‑related business models, the power grid is rapidly evolving from a traditional transmission and distribution platform into a diversified, integrated energy hub. The “15th Five-Year Plan for Building a New Type of Power System” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) sets out that, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, priority will be given to establishing a new‑type grid characterized by coordinated operation among the main grid, distribution networks, and microgrids. The construction of this new‑type grid will lay a solid foundation for accommodating and integrating large‑scale new‑energy generation, fostering innovation in new‑type productive forces, and thereby strongly advancing high‑quality economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

First, a world-leading AC–DC hybrid mega‑grid has been built. China has built the world’s largest AC–DC hybrid power grid, featuring the highest voltage levels and the largest scale of new‑energy integration. This achievement not only epitomizes the institutional advantages of China in the power sector but also serves as a core platform for strengthening its competitive edge on the global stage. By the end of 2025, the transmission capacity for delivering electricity from west to east will exceed 340 million kilowatts; inter‑provincial power‑sharing capability will reach 80 million kilowatts; and within the regional grids, ultra‑high‑voltage AC networks have been essentially established in North China, Central China, Sichuan–Chongqing–Tibet, and East China, while ultra‑high‑voltage AC networks now provide full coverage across Northeast, Northwest, and South China. The total length of distribution lines at 10 kV and above nationwide surpasses 9 million kilometers. The grid reliably accommodates annual electricity consumption exceeding 10 trillion kWh, supports the integration and absorption of more than 1.8 billion kW of new energy, and continues to hold the world’s best record for the safe operation of an ultra‑large power grid.

Second, the level of service and support has improved significantly. The urban–rural distribution network has undergone systematic upgrades to enhance its capacity for disaster prevention and emergency response, with average customer power supply reliability reaching 99.931%. China’s “Getting Electricity” indicator now ranks among the highest globally, while electricity prices have remained at internationally low levels over the long term. At present, the country has built the world’s largest charging infrastructure network, with more than 23 million charging stations deployed, thereby providing comprehensive support for the electric‑vehicle sector. Charging service quality continues to improve, effectively underpinning green and low‑carbon mobility.

Third, breakthroughs have been achieved in critical core technologies and equipment. China ranks first globally in the field of power‑technology innovation. Today, the country has fully mastered core UHV technologies and the complete set of equipment‑manufacturing capabilities, all underpinned by independent intellectual property rights, marking a historic leap from technology importation to keeping pace, running alongside, and ultimately taking the lead. Flexible DC transmission technology has also been deployed on a large scale. Focusing on next‑generation energy storage and grid‑forming technologies, China has diversified its tools for grid stability and control, achieving end‑to‑end integration across the entire transmission and distribution value chain. It has successfully developed key components such as on‑load tap changers for converter transformers, controllable commutation‑type DC converter valves, 800‑kV valve‑side bushings for converter transformers, and 800‑kV, 80‑kA high‑capacity circuit breakers. Furthermore, breakthroughs have been made in ultra‑large‑scale AC/DC hybrid grid simulation, and an industry‑specific large‑language model has been developed, with artificial intelligence deeply integrated into every stage of grid planning, operation, and related processes. Leveraging the Belo Monte UHV project in Brazil, China has achieved integrated overseas deployment—covering investment, construction, and operation, as well as technology, equipment, and standards—thereby driving high‑end electrical equipment into the international market.

II. Building a New-Type Power Grid Is an Inevitable Choice for Constructing an Energy Powerhouse

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee has formulated a series of policies and decisions on the development of energy and electricity. From the new strategy for energy security to building an energy powerhouse, from the “dual carbon” goals and the establishment of a new‑type energy system to the construction of a new‑type power system and grid, the new strategy for energy security serves as the fundamental guiding principle; the new‑type energy system and power system provide the implementation framework; and becoming an energy powerhouse is the ultimate development objective—all of which are integrated into the broader endeavor of advancing Chinese‑style modernization.

As China’s energy transition deepens, the energy system will evolve toward cleaner production, electrified consumption, and platform‑based resource allocation. Electricity will assume an even more pivotal role in ensuring energy security; the power grid, which connects electricity generation with end‑use, stands at the heart of the new‑type power system and serves as a critical enabler for achieving the goal of building a strong energy nation. With coal‑rich, oil‑poor, and gas‑scarce energy endowments, accelerating the development of new energy sources will not only help reduce dependence on imported oil and gas and enhance domestic energy self‑sufficiency, but also support the country’s nationally determined contributions. Ninety percent of the new energy resources developed in China must be converted into electricity for utilization, making the power system a key battleground for both ensuring supply and cutting carbon emissions.

Recently, a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee proposed coordinating the planning and construction of six major networks—including the new‑generation power grid, the water‑supply network, and the computing‑power network. Meanwhile, an executive meeting of the State Council further refined and implemented specific measures to strengthen the planning and development of these six networks. The Plan sets out that by 2030, a new‑type power grid—safe and reliable, green and low‑carbon, robust and resilient, and intelligent and flexible—will be preliminarily established.

(II) The 15th Five-Year Plan sets forth new tasks for power grid development.

The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, the Plan for a New‑Type Energy System, and other documents have laid out a comprehensive framework for building an energy powerhouse and for advancing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in a proactive yet prudent manner. China’s latest round of Nationally Determined Contributions has clarified the direction of the power sector’s transformation, setting higher standards for developing a new‑type power system and constructing a modernized grid.

Major infrastructure such as the power grid serves as the foundation for economic and social operations and constitutes a key source of China’s competitive edge on the global stage. From an external perspective, the reshaping of the global energy supply-and-demand landscape has elevated the autonomy and controllability of the energy value chain to a core national security priority, while the resilience of power‑grid infrastructure and the level of green, low‑carbon development directly determine the nation’s capacity to withstand risks and its ability to take the initiative in global competition. Internally, industrial innovation and upgrading, coupled with the public’s aspiration for a better quality of life, are generating substantial demand for high‑quality electricity; at the same time, extreme weather events are compelling the power grid to adopt dual‑use capabilities for both routine operation and emergency response, while disparities in urban–rural and regional development call for greater equity in the deployment of power infrastructure.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, as emerging industries such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and computing power continue to expand, and new business models like zero‑carbon parks and direct green‑power supply gain momentum, electricity demand is expected to maintain a relatively robust annual growth rate of around 5%. The scale of electricity demand will keep expanding, while the quality of power supply and the share of green electricity are both on the rise. At the same time, new energy sources have become the dominant component of newly added generating capacity; however, their output exhibits seasonal and temporal mismatches with electricity load profiles, leading to a decline in effective generation capacity and a more complex supply‑demand balance. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of new energy is outpacing the development of grid‑side flexibility resources, making it increasingly challenging to coordinate new‑energy integration and consumption. In addition, the widespread adoption of electrification across sectors such as industry, transportation, and buildings further intensifies pressure on the power sector to ensure reliable supply and achieve decarbonization goals. As a result, the power system is characterized by “double high” features—high shares of new energy and high penetration of power‑electronic equipment—undermining its disturbance‑resilience and stability‑maintenance capabilities. This calls for deeper research into system operation mechanisms and accelerated breakthroughs in core grid technologies and key equipment‑development bottlenecks.

III. Key Tasks for Building a New-Type Power Grid with Integrated Primary and Distribution Networks

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, leveraging China’s globally leading large-scale AC–DC hybrid grid, we will fully capitalize on institutional and industrial competitive advantages to advance the coordinated planning and construction of a new‑generation power grid—integrating transmission, distribution, and microgrid systems. We will continuously enhance the safety and stability of the large grid, maximize the role of the distribution network as a modern public platform, promote diversified and flexible interactions among smart microgrids, harness the deep enabling power of green and intelligent technologies, and broadly expand high‑quality, universally accessible services.

(1) Further optimize the national power flow distribution.

The Plan proposes to vigorously promote the optimization of power‑flow and transmission‑network layouts, gradually establishing a configuration in which the “desert‑gobi‑wasteland” base clusters in Northeast, Central‑North, and Northwest China, along with the integrated hydropower‑wind‑solar base cluster in Southwest China, deliver electricity to eastern and central regions, as well as to the Sichuan–Chongqing area and southern load centers, while offshore wind‑power bases and coastal nuclear‑power bases facilitate local consumption. The Plan sets out an overarching direction: leveraging China’s inverse spatial distribution of energy resources and electricity demand, accelerating the development of inter‑provincial and inter‑regional transmission corridors, piloting 100% renewable‑energy export projects in areas such as deserts, gobi, and wastelands, and expanding west‑to‑east power transmission capacity to over 420 million kilowatts by 2030. This will continuously enhance grid‑carrying capacity, enable the efficient development and utilization of clean‑energy resources, effectively support large‑scale integration and consumption of renewable energy, ensure a secure and reliable power supply for central and eastern regions, and foster a green, low‑carbon transformation, thereby delivering significant impetus to economic and social development.

(II) Enhance the structure of the regional main grid network

The Plan proposes a national grid structure based on regional power grids and characterized by asynchronous interconnections among them. It aims to ensure robust grid resilience by optimizing the backbone network at all levels through hierarchical and zonal planning, while advancing the development of an offshore transmission network to facilitate the efficient collection, transmission, and integration of offshore wind‑power resources. The Plan lays out a systematic roadmap for strengthening and refining the main grid framework, aligning it with the needs of power‑source and load integration as well as secure grid operation. It calls for accelerating the reinforcement and enhancement of ultra‑high‑voltage and extra‑high‑voltage backbone networks across regions, establishing a more rational hierarchical and zonal structure with clearer delineation, promoting coordinated AC–DC operations and matching between sending and receiving ends, and boosting interprovincial transmission capacity. These measures will further fortify the fundamental safeguards for power supply, solidify the physical foundation of a unified national electricity market, and support the wide‑area allocation of clean energy resources. By 2030, the scale of the ultra‑high‑voltage grid is expected to double, with significant improvements in the backbone grid’s resource‑allocation capabilities and structural safety, thereby providing strong assurance of reliable power supply.

(3) Building a Robust and Resilient Distribution System

The Plan proposes advancing the construction, renovation, and smart upgrading of distribution networks; comprehensively enhancing their power supply reliability, with the goal of achieving zero risk of county‑level blackouts caused by a single‑line outage; and addressing key quality issues such as transformer overloads and severe low‑voltage conditions. It also aims to strengthen the overall carrying capacity of distribution networks, improve their regulation capabilities, and support the integration and safe, stable operation of 900 million kilowatts of distributed renewable energy. In addition, a series of projects will be implemented to bolster disaster prevention and mitigation, thereby elevating the overall resilience of distribution networks. In line with the development goals and requirements set forth in the Plan, during the 15th Five‑Year Plan period, substantial efforts will be made to upgrade and modernize distribution networks, accelerating the emergence of a new, two‑way, flexible, and interactive grid architecture. This will comprehensively enhance the ability of distribution networks to accommodate distributed renewable energy and adapt to the development of new business models such as direct green‑power connections. By 2030, it is expected that critical structural weaknesses—such as weak interconnections at the county level—will be fully addressed; vulnerable links in residential power supply, including single‑source feeders in high‑rise communities, will be largely eliminated; and bottlenecks hindering the integration of emerging elements, such as “red‑zone” areas in counties, will be dynamically resolved. Nationwide, the average power supply reliability for urban customers will reach above 99.99%, while the overall carrying capacity of distribution networks will more than double, and the coordinated operation of primary and distribution networks, along with their bidirectional support capabilities, will be significantly strengthened.

(4) Promote the multi-scenario application of smart microgrids

The Plan proposes supporting the development of smart microgrids, ensuring seamless planning integration and coordinated control with the public grid; deploying a number of smart microgrid projects that integrate generation, grid, load, and storage; refining relevant technical standards and project access criteria; and increasing the self‑consumption ratio of new energy within smart microgrids. In line with the smart microgrid development priorities outlined in the Plan, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, extensive efforts will be made to expand the application of smart microgrids across multiple scenarios—meeting the needs for local development and consumption of new energy, and enhancing power supply reliability in remote areas and at the grid’s end‑points. Specifically, in remote and offshore island regions where large‑scale grid construction and renovation are challenging, a series of independent renewable‑energy power systems or end‑point‑oriented microgrids integrating wind, solar, load, and storage will be developed. In areas with substantial industrial loads and favorable new‑energy resources, a number of industrial green microgrids supporting local new‑energy consumption will be promoted. Meanwhile, in rural areas characterized by high and ultra‑high penetration of new energy, village‑ and town‑level smart microgrids will be advanced.

(5) Building a Smart Power Dispatch System

The Plan proposes optimizing the dispatching mechanism to promote a shift toward coordinated control and capacity-building across primary, distribution, and microgrids; exploring new collaborative operation and control paradigms for “desert‑Gobi‑wasteland” bases, integrated water‑wind‑solar complexes, and emerging power‑sector business models; strengthening the alignment between power dispatching and electricity markets as well as demand‑side management; reinforcing grid‑connection and operational management requirements for all types of grid‑connected entities; and accelerating the integrated application of advanced digital information technologies with cutting-edge dispatch and control systems. In line with these measures, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, efforts will be further stepped up to build out digital infrastructure for the power grid and to expedite the deployment of advanced digital and intelligent technologies—such as artificial intelligence—across the entire value chain, including grid planning and construction, production and operations, equipment maintenance, and safety management. By fully leveraging AI‑driven approaches, the plan aims to achieve intelligent experimentation, automated analysis, and efficient scenario simulation; establish an intelligent power‑meteorology forecasting system; iteratively upgrade novel smart simulation algorithms; enhance the capability for rapid fault‑evolution modeling; and elevate the overall level of intelligent power‑grid dispatching.

(6) Strengthen the development of the charging infrastructure network.

The Plan proposes accelerating the development of a charging infrastructure network that adopts an urban grid‑based layout, a highway corridor‑based layout, and a rural point‑based layout; promoting the upgrading and renovation of charging facilities at highway service areas; increasing the share of fast‑charging stations; and advancing the orderly deployment of high‑power charging infrastructure. In line with the Plan’s roadmap, to support the rapid growth of electric vehicles, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, efforts will be further intensified to build and upgrade the supporting charging infrastructure network. By modernizing a widely distributed charging‑facility network, it is projected that by 2030 the total number of charging points will exceed 40 million, with approximately 300,000 high‑power charging stations rated at 250 kW or above, capable of meeting the charging needs of more than 110 million electric vehicles.

(7) Tackling Core Technologies and Equipment for the New-Type Power System

The Plan calls for deepening fundamental research in areas such as holistic optimal planning for the new power system, system operation mechanisms, and multi-timescale dynamic stability analysis; comprehensively upgrading simulation technologies for the new power system; and promoting the large-scale deployment of a suite of advanced technologies and equipment. From the perspectives of basic research, simulation technology, and equipment application, the Plan sets forth specific requirements for technological breakthroughs. In implementation, it will anchor itself to the 2030 Major Project on Smart Grids, fully carry out the strategic arrangement for achieving self-reliance and strength in energy-related science and technology, and accelerate the innovative application of new technologies—including coordinated operation and dispatch control across transmission, distribution, and microgrids; ultra‑long‑distance UHVDC GIL; and grid‑forming solutions. Furthermore, it seeks to deepen the integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, thereby enhancing the autonomy and controllability of industrial and supply chains.