Starting from 2010, China plans to connect the electrical networks between Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Northwest Power Grid, covering Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Qinghai, Caijing.com.cn reported on September 18.

China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC), one of the country's largest engineering consulting organizations, is carrying out an assessment of the project.

"The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has received the relevant applications from Northwest Power Grid and the regional government. The NDRC has entrusted CIECC to assess the project," Jiang Shaojun, an expert on the project team, told Caijing Magazine.

Xinjiang will increase its power supply by 100 percent from 2008 to 2010, and the region will be equipped with 8,000-megawatt (meg) thermo-power generators, 1,200-meg hydroelectric generators and 3,200-meg wind power generators.

According to some experts, the length of the connection may result in a significant loss of power, and long-distance transmission of the electricity will be vulnerable to meteorological and other natural forces.

According to Jiang, experts will carry out an assessment on the financial viability of the project and its security implications. They will also consult the regional government of Xinjiang. "So far, the assessment is proceeding smoothly," Jiang said.

(China.org.cn by Wu Jin, September 19, 2008)