State aid in power industry
(China Tibet Magazine )
Updated: 2005-08-18 14:48

The State Grid Corporation of China (the State Grid for short) is in charge of power construction in the whole country. Attaching great importance to promoting the development of Tibet, it adopts the policy of aiding Tibet in projects, technology and cultivation of talents, playing an important role in the socio-economic development of Tibet.

Generous Aid

Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, the power industry through the country has been sending engineers to Tibet along with making investment to support the power industry there. For instance, from 1956 to 1965, the PRC Ministry of the Power Industry sent 508 technicians, workers and college graduates to Tibet to participate in power construction and established an elementary power industry system.

Since the adoption of reform and opening up policy, 377 engineering technicians and administrators have been sent to Tibet in seven groups to strengthen the initial design work of power projects, and the amount of aid fund to Tibet has also increased. The funds allocated to support the technical renovation of Tibet power since 1986 add up to some 200 million Yuan.

By the end of 2002, Tibet's installed generating capacity has reached 900 million kwh, making it possible for all counties to have access to power. And Lhasa, Shannan, Xigaze and other areas have been relieved from a long-time power shortage. The population having access to power in the whole region has reached 1.5 million, and farmers and herders who had used butter lamps for illumination for generations can now make use of electricity.

The principals of State Grid have come to Tibet many times to inspect the situation and give instruction for the work. A leading group in charge of the State Grid aid work to Tibet has been founded, and some involved units of the corporation also founded the relevant leading and execution organizations to strengthen the organization and implementation of aid work in Tibet.

The State Grid has allocated 54 people to Tibet in succession to help the construction of Tibet power and aided Tibet with 21.196 million Yuan. In 2005, it has so far granted Tibet 15.628 million Yuan. The Tibet Qamdo power grid was constructed in 2004; Zhikung hydroelectric power station is in the process of construction and is going to go into production in 2007; Jim River power station has been generating electricity since 2004; Ngari Shiquanhe River hydroelectric power station has brought to an end the situation in which there was no conventional power station in the Ngari region and this will begin production in 2007. Tibet power will enjoy rapid development in the near future.

Unit to Unit Aid

At the same time, the State Grid aids Coqen County in Ngari according to arrangements made by the Central Organizational Department. Leaders were sent to discuss aid with their counterparts in Ngari, and they confirmed the funds for construction projects in Coqen County from 2003 to 2004 would be 21 million Yuan, including 1 million Yuan for construction of office information in local administration.

Coqen, meaning “big lake”, derives its name from Zari Nam Co, which is a salt lake nearby. The Coqen county seat is 1,070 km from Lhasa in the east and is 970 km away from Shiquanhe town in the west, which houses the administrative offices of the Ngari region.

Coqen County lies on the Changtang Highland with an average altitude of 4,700 meters and some villagers are located more than 5,400 meters above sea level. Only the Lhasa-Shiquanhe Highway bisects the county and several crude roads stretch to all the villages. The natural situation there is very hard with low air pressure and thin oxygen. Even in summer, the air pressure and oxygen pressure there are only 58 percent and 49 percent of those in plain area respectively.

Coqen is one of the three great counties of pure animal husbandry in the Ngari region. Of the local herders, the number of illiterate and semi-illiterates makes up 80 percent. Only some 200 people can go out to work. Throughout the county, the grassland has deteriorated and desertification is aggravated. The ecological balance has been broken. How to achieve distinct improvement in all local work in short time has become an urgent affair in aiding work to Tibet.

According to the actual situation in the county, people sent there by the State Grid managed to improve the infrastructure and enhance the social, economic and cultural development level in Coqen County, as well as the living conditions of herders.

Several years later, 11 projects have been completed covering an area of some 8,900 square meters, including one township integrated primary school (having lodging houses for teachers and staff and relevant studying and office equipment), one technical training center, and four urban and rural sanitary clinics. 54 people have received education and training in five groups. A State Power grid educational fund was created and 200,000 Yuan has been invested as initial capital. It has helped to buy five sets of medical and sanitary equipment and one set of broadcasting and TV equipment costing 6.5 million Yuan altogether. The broadcasting and TV equipment enable local people to receive more than 40 channels of programs instead of only a handful before.

The renovation project on dangerous houses with a construction area of 1180 square meters has given the county a brand new face. The construction project of Coqen County Building Materials Prefabricating Factory sets the foundation for future construction in Coqen County. The four township sanitary clinics and one town sanitary clinic that were built up to strengthen the health care work in villages have solved the difficulty of seeing a doctor for herders. Some 560 square meters of dormitories built for the Gyangrang Township Primary School were equipped with some 400 beds. Toothbrush, towels and beddings were bought for all 1,630 students in primary and middle schools in the whole county, which has created a good living situation for students. Teachers in the county were trained to improve the local educational level, which sets the talent foundation for the socio-economic development in Coqen County. Coqen County Vocational Technical Training Center has created good situation to enhance the laboring technology of herders.

The State Grid's aid projects to Tibet of 2005 to 2006 have been almost confirmed and importance will be attached to farming and herding areas to further create a good situation for the lives of farmers and herders and to strengthen self-capability in economic development in Coqen County.

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