Experts share ideas on enhancing the resilience of power systems at the forum. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhejiang province's peak electricity demand is now approaching the combined maximum load of Germany and the United Kingdom, highlighting both the scale of its economy and the growing importance of a resilient power grid.

At an international forum on power-grid resilience held recently in Hangzhou, officials revealed that Zhejiang's peak electricity load reached 131 million kilowatts during the summer of 2025 — nearly one-tenth of China's total peak demand and roughly equivalent to the combined peak loads of Germany and the UK. The figure is expected to climb to 142 million kilowatts this year.

To meet rising demand while advancing its low-carbon transition, Zhejiang has rapidly expanded its renewable energy supply. Installed wind and solar capacity has surged from about 17 million kilowatts five years ago to more than 71 million kilowatts today, accounting for over 40 percent of the province's total power capacity.

The province is also strengthening grid resilience through major infrastructure projects. In Zhoushan, the world's first five-terminal flexible DC transmission project links multiple islands through a 141.5-kilometer power network, greatly improving reliability and reducing outage risks.

Smart technologies are playing an increasingly important role. Zhejiang's provincial energy big-data center monitors electricity, gas, oil and other energy systems in real time, while virtual power plants coordinate batteries, electric vehicles and commercial buildings to balance supply and demand.

The results are visible in everyday life. The average annual outage time for Zhejiang residents has fallen from 185 minutes in 2020 to less than 20 minutes today, while residents in Hangzhou experience an average of just 3.14 minutes of power interruption per year.

The interconnected power grid in Dinghai district of Zhoushan, a coastal city in Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]