China's first 750kV powerline above glaciers operational

A technician checks the facilities at a substation of the 750kV high-voltage transmission line in Kuqa county, Xinjiang, on Oct 24, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's first 750kV high-voltage transmission line that crosses glaciers and frigid alpine ranges was turned on in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday.

According to the State Grid Xinjiang branch, the 353.7-km powerline connects the region's Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Kuqa county, which are on opposite sides of Tianshan Mountains.

Construction on the 2 billion yuan ($280 million) project began on Nov 5, 2014. Technicians said the transmission capacity of the 750kV powerline is about 11 times the original 220kV line.

The company said more 750kV powerlines will be built over the next five years, expanding the highly efficient power grid to Hotan Prefecture in southern Xinjiang and Altay Prefecture in the far north.