As the Sichuan-Tibet power grid - the highest power grid in the world was opened on Nov.20, 500,000 residents in east Tibet's Chamdo prefecture have finally accessed enough power, as Xinhua reported.

The 1,521-kilometer power grid, linking Chamdo in Tibet Autonomous Region and Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, is another power transmission project across the high altitude area following the Qinghai-Tibet power grid. With a total investment of 6.63 billion yuan(1.08 billion U.S. dollar), it passes through two 500-KV transmission stations, two 200-KV stations, two counties in Garze Prefecture of Sichuan Province, and seven counties in Chamdo Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Sichuan-Tibet power grid is the key project to serve the economic and social development and social stability in China’s overall western development strategy.

As reported, by the end of this year, the greater power grid will extend to 18 counties of Garze. Next year eight out of 11 counties, covering a total area of 108,000 square kilometers, will have access to stable supply of power.

According to the State Grid Corporation of China, it took over 20,000 constructors eight months to complete the work, six months ahead of time. The project takes the lead in the construction of high altitude power transmission in the world since unimaginable difficulties had been overcome.

Located at the average altitude of 3,850 meters with the highest elevation of 4,980 meters，the power grid is built in natural disaster-stricken areas with frequent landslides，mudslides or earthquakes. The areas along the power grid pass through high mountains, deep valleys and "no-ma" areas, which made it almost impossible to transport 100,000 tons of building materials.

Due to historical reason, the power grid in Chamdo was separate from that of other areas, which results in severe power shortages.

"Power was generated by small hydropower stations in summer, by which the supply was far from enough while there was no power at all in winter," said Wang Shuxiang，deputy commander-in-chief of the Sichuan-Tibet Power Grid project. After the two local power grids were linked, electricity can be transmitted to Chamdo from the Sichuan main power grid through south Garze in dry season, while the power will be sent back to the Sichuan power grid, which in turn will be extended to the state power grid.

In the meanwhile, the project can also serve as a channel to transmit the power generated in the Tibetan-inhabited areas to other areas of the country thanks to the rich hydroelectric resources in Chamdo and Garze of Sichuan. The hydroelectric resources in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture take up 34.4 percent of the total in the province, and the installed capacity amounts to 41.3 million kilowatts, nearing the figure generated by two Three Gorges Dams. But by far only 5.5 million kilowatts have been developed.

Now the more tiered power stations are being developed in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and the Lancang River and Yuqu River. The project is expected to improve the structure of the power grid, transmit the hydro power to other areas and accelerate the economic development in Chamdo so as to balance economic development and environmental protection in the region.