Xinjiang powers ahead as nation's energy distributor

Advances in green technology, improved electricity transmission infrastructure help region achieve goals

Changji converter station is seen in the barren land of Changji Hui autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Boasting China's largest reserves of coal and solar resources and the second-largest wind energy potential, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis into a major national energy producer and domestic electricity provider.

Under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), Xinjiang has been designated as a national base for wind and solar energy, coal production, oil and gas reserves, and a key electricity transmission corridor.

By the end of 2024, the region had transmitted more than 860 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to other provincial-level regions — the equivalent of 260.15 million metric tons of coal — helping recipient area reduce 702.41 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and 2.21 million tons of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Xinjiang's development comes at a crucial time. Eastern coastal regions face growing electricity shortages coupled with land constraints and environmental pressures that limit further coal power expansion.

Meanwhile, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has triggered a substantial surge in electricity demand. As AI systems grow more sophisticated, their computational requirements have escalated exponentially, leading to massive energy consumption, particularly from power-hungry data centers running complex machine learning algorithms and large language models.

While Xinjiang's energy riches and rising demand from coastal areas have made it destined to become a key power supplier, the region's progress has been a gradual process, built on years of energy sector investment and construction, and the work of diligent professionals.