Grid upgrade to support island businesses in Zhejiang

State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power has completed a next-generation grid upgrade on Jishan Island in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, in a move expected to strengthen power supply for local fisheries, homestays and tourism businesses ahead of the flood and typhoon season.

Located off the eastern coast of Yuhuan, Jishan Island covers 1.57 square kilometers and has about 600 permanent residents. Years of exposure to strong sea winds, salt corrosion and lightning risks had accelerated the aging of local power facilities, posing challenges to stable electricity supply for residents and business operators, according to the company.

Since the beginning of this year, more than 20 high-risk offshore islands in Zhejiang, including Jishan, have been included in a priority renovation program as the province steps up efforts to improve the resilience of coastal power infrastructure.

State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power said technical teams conducted field inspections and developed a tailored upgrade plan based on the island's geography, typhoon exposure and electricity demand from fishing communities. The project is designed to make local transmission and distribution facilities more resilient to strong winds, corrosion and lightning strikes.

Despite difficulties including limited transport access, changing offshore weather and restrictions on large vessel docking, power workers adopted a phased construction model supported by live-line operations and temporary generator-backed power supply, reducing disruptions to local production and daily life.

For areas with concentrated homestays and tourism businesses, the company also launched targeted inspection services to improve internal electrical safety during the summer travel peak and typhoon season.

The company said it will continue to improve long-term operation and maintenance mechanisms for coastal and remote island grids, optimize emergency repair procedures and expand storm-resilient power supply measures to more high-risk areas.