Siemens to supply HVDC system to China

China Southern Power Grid Company,

, has awarded a contract to

(PTD) to construct a high-voltage DC transmission (HVDC) system. It will run between the

of

in the southwest corner of

and the

on the south coast of the country.

The long-distance HVDC link, with a power transmission capacity of 5000MW and a transmission voltage of 800kV, will have the highest power capacity for a system of its type. The value to Siemens of the order is more than €300m, and the system is scheduled to commence commercial service by mid-2010.

China is the fastest growing market in the field of power transmission and distribution, and will become the world’s largest single market for HVDC transmission technology over the next 20 to 30 years. The steep rise in demand for power in China’s industrial centres means that huge amounts of electricity have to be conveyed over distances of 1000km and more.

The additional electric power from the province of Yunnan is intended to supply the rapidly growing industrial region of the Pearl River delta in the province of Guangdong and the megacities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In future, the electricity generated by several hydroelectric power plants will be transported from Yunnan via 1,400km to Guangdong over this long-distance HVDC link. This HVDC link will save the emission of more than 30 million tonnes of CO₂ a year from fossil fuel plants that would otherwise be used.

Together with Chinese partners, Siemens will design the complex HVDC system, supply the main HVDC components and support its Chinese partners in design and manufacturing of further HVDC components.