Hainan striving to be a 'low-carbon island'

A plan to build a new-type power system on Hainan Island, the first of its kind in China, was unveiled on Thursday.

The Implementation Plan for Building the Hainan "Clean-Energy Island" New Power System aims to establish a provincial demonstration zone for a clean, modernized grid by 2030.

The plan was announced in Boao, Qionghai, at the 6th New Power System and 21st CSG International Science and Technology Forum. It is the first provincial-level demonstration plan developed through a partnership between the Hainan provincial government and China Southern Power Grid. The initiative is designed to support the Hainan Free Trade Port and help the province achieve its carbon peak target.

"As China's only tropical island province, Hainan has a unique grid and significant potential for new energy," Lu Wankun of China Southern Power Grid, said. "Its operation as a relatively independent grid provides a foundation to lead in this development."

The strategy outlines eight key projects, including clean power supply, digital grid resilience, and technological innovation. These encompass 28 specific tasks to accelerate the new power system's construction.

The power supply is becoming greener. As of late October, installed new energy capacity in Hainan had exceeded 12 million kilowatts, making it the largest power source. The province will support offshore wind, solar, and geothermal energy development.

Grid operation is becoming safer. By year's end, the Hainan 500 kV provincial digital grid project will be fully completed. The use of digital technologies will enhance intelligent sensing.

Plans are also underway for a new cross-sea transmission channel to improve power supply reliability.

Green power consumption is expanding, with Hainan promoting electrification projects — including shore power for ports and electric vehicles. The "Hainan Charging Pile" platform links over 4,800 charging stations. The province will develop vehicle-grid interaction projects to support the integration of millions of new energy vehicles.

Power trading is also becoming more efficient. In October, clean power from Western Inner Mongolia was transmitted to Hainan for the first time. Hainan will now work to improve inter-provincial power trading mechanisms.

To manage large-scale new energy, Hainan will strengthen its intelligent dispatch system. In energy storage, the province will accelerate pumped hydro and promote new storage technologies.

"With this plan, Hainan's demonstration will become a showcase for global power systems," Jiang Hong of the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission said.

"We are fully building Hainan into a 'low-carbon island'," Yang Guoqiang, vice governor of Hainan province, said of the island's commitment to a green development path. "Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), we have built the 500 kV main grid and launched a commercial underwater data center cluster. Our clean energy ratios are among the highest nationally."

"The global electrification wave is booming," Angela Wilkinson, secretary general of the World Energy Council, said. "We must build a new energy system that balances security, affordability, and sustainability. True resilience comes from common progress, not going it alone."