In a significant development, the construction of a 750-kilovolt ultra-high voltage (UHV) power transmission line in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has been completed as of Wednesday. This vital project connects power stations located in Bazhou County and Ruoqiang County within the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, creating a loop around the Tarim Basin.

Stretching approximately 880 kilometers and involving an investment of 4.616 billion yuan, the project comprises 1,873 transmission towers. The construction phase commenced in March 2023, and the line is slated to enter operation in November 2024. This represents the first 750-kilovolt UHV power transmission line traversing Xinjiang's desert infrastructure.

The project posed considerable challenges due to its construction across diverse and demanding terrains such as deserts, lakes, mountains, wetlands, and designated poplar forest protection areas. Notably, segments of the line extend 16.8 kilometers through the scenic Bosten Lake area, 14.3 kilometers across the Taitem Lake Wetland Park, and perform 145.8 kilometers across poplar forests.

When fully operational, the transmission line will stretch over an area of 1.08 million square kilometers and connect with three existing power transmission projects. This integrated ultra-high voltage loop network surrounding the Tarim Basin is expected to significantly enhance local energy development, promote the consumption of new energy sources, optimize energy distribution, and ensure reliable power supply to the region.