JINAN — Amid scorching summer heat, electricity demand in Jinan has soared to unprecedented levels. On August 22, the city’s power load peaked at 11.748 million kilowatts, setting a new record and surpassing the previous high of 11.471 million kilowatts earlier this year by 2.41%. It marked the third time this summer that Jinan has broken its own electricity load record. Despite the pressure, the city’s power grid has remained stable, ensuring reliable supply for both economic activity and daily life.
Strengthening the Foundation: Securing Power Supply
To stabilize energy sources, Jinan’s Development and Reform Commission has tightened coordination between government and enterprises. Measures include ensuring all local power plants operate at full capacity with coal reserves exceeding 20 days, accelerating the integration of renewable energy into the grid, and advancing projects such as the Longdong–Shandong ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage direct current line, which enables large-scale transmission of electricity from outside the province.
Unlocking Flexibility: Virtual Power Plants Lead the Province
To balance rising demand, Jinan has tapped into flexible load resources. The city has created a demand-response pool where commercial air conditioning alone provides the largest adjustable capacity in Shandong, capable of easing peak-time strain. Since April, Jinan has operated the province’s first batch of virtual power plant service centers, bringing 13 projects online. These integrate generation, storage, and flexible loads, giving the city the strongest adjustment capacity in the province.
Building Consensus: Promoting Off-Peak Consumption
Authorities have also engaged residents in energy-saving efforts. Campaigns such as “Lower Carbon Living with Off-Peak Power Use” encourage households to shift electricity use to non-peak hours. Jinan has also accelerated charging infrastructure development, now boasting more than 1,600 public charging and swapping stations with an average service radius of just 0.5 kilometers. Meanwhile, safety measures—from reinforcing main grid structures to upgrading old residential areas—ensure secure and efficient energy use.
Grid Operator: Safeguarding a City of Millions
The State Grid Jinan Power Supply Company, which serves over 4.85 million customers across 12 districts and counties, has been at the forefront of these efforts. With more than 200 billion yuan invested in grid construction since the 14th Five-Year Plan began, Jinan has built 72 power projects of 110 kV and above, establishing a robust grid anchored by the 1,000 kV Quancheng station.
The company has supported 109 major projects, including BYD and Aikosolar, and coordinated the relocation of over 1,000 transmission lines for city development. Its initiatives—ranging from high-reliability “zero outage” service in downtown Jinan to building China’s leading interactive charging stations—are helping position the city as a model for modern power systems.
Powering Growth and Green Transition
Jinan’s grid is not only reliable but also green. Renewable energy capacity now exceeds 5.08 million kilowatts, while the share of coal power has dropped by 28 percentage points compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan. The Longdong–Shandong UHV project has upgraded “power imports” into “green power imports,” supporting the city’s low-carbon agenda.
At the same time, service upgrades—from old community meter replacements to rural grid improvements—are ensuring residents share in the benefits of modernization. Over 230,000 households have already received upgraded connections, while charging infrastructure now enables a “five-minute charging service circle” in Jinan’s core urban areas.
A City Lighting the Way
From pioneering virtual power plants to strengthening ultra-high-voltage transmission, Jinan is building a resilient, green, and people-centered energy system. As the city moves deeper into the “10-million-kilowatt era,” its ability to meet record-breaking demand while supporting industrial growth and low-carbon transition stands as a benchmark for other cities nationwide.