Nation's 1st modular 500-kV substation online

China's first fully modular 500-kilovolt ultrahigh voltage substation recently began operations in Fucun township, Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

The Pancun village substation was completed in just 14 months by employing an innovative construction method that combines prefabricated assembly with intelligent systems — a process described as akin to "building with blocks", said its major constructor State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power.

Over 80 percent of the substation's modular components, including the steel-structured control room and firewalls, were prefabricated off-site and assembled directly on location. The approach has reduced the construction timeline by four months compared to traditional methods, cut high-above-ground work risks by 50 percent and minimized dust pollution, reinforcing a commitment to environmental sustainability, according to the builder.

Strategically located in a high-tech industrial cluster, with more than 200 enterprises and over a dozen major industrial projects underway, the substation is expected to ease long-standing power supply constraints in the area. Its launch will help shift the region from short-term power security to long-term energy planning, unlocking growth potential across central Zhejiang.

As electricity demand continues to surge with the approach of summer, the Pancun village substation is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the main grid across both the local district and the whole city by significantly enhancing the flexibility and resilience of the regional power network, said State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power.

The project aligns with China's broader infrastructure ambitions. This year, the country is issuing 1.3 trillion yuan ($180.8 billion) in ultra-long-term special government bonds, with 500 billion yuan allocated to advancing new infrastructure and new urbanization.

Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said the increased scale and scope of this year's special bond issuance signals stronger support for both national strategic projects and key safety capabilities.

Beyond bolstering high-quality infrastructure, the investment is expected to drive upgrades in infrastructure and equipment toward higher-end, smarter and greener technologies, Luo said.