State Grid Rolled out Plans for New Digital Infrastructure

State Grid released its key construction tasks for new digital infrastructure from Beijing through a videoconference on June 15. This was also part of its efforts to ensure stability on the six fronts and security in the six areas for steady economic momentum and build the world-leading energy internet enterprise with Chinese characteristics, in a bid to better serve the high-quality development of the country. At the event, the company also signed strategic cooperation agreements with 41 partners. Mao Weiming, Executive Chairman of State Grid, attended and delivered a speech. State Grid President Xin Baoan presided over the conference. Zhang Zhigang, Executive Vice President of State Grid, signed the agreements on behalf of the company. Xie Shaofeng, Director of the Information and Software Services Division of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Gou Ping, Director of the Bureau of Sci-Tech Innovation and Social Responsibility of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), and Guo Zhi, Chief Economist with the National Energy Administration (NEA), attended and made speeches. Guo Ping, Huawei’s rotating chairman, and Wang Jian, Alibaba Group’s partner, founder of Alibaba Cloud, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering were also in attendance and delivered their speeches from other venues.

State Grid will invest 24.7 billion yuan in new digital infrastructure, focusing on information, integration and innovation infrastructures for big data centers, industrial internet, 5G networks, and AI technology. The funds will go to 10 tasks including power grid digital platform, energy big data centers, big data application in power system, Internet of Things in Electricity, energy industry cloud network, smart energy comprehensive service, 5G application on energy internet, AI application in power system, energy blockchain application, and application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in power system, which will drive social investment of about 100 billion yuan and further the development of the whole industry, boosting confidence of economic growth from the whole society.

Mao Weiming pointed out in his speech that as a super large state-owned enterprise (SOE) vital to China’s economy and energy security, State Grid attaches great importance to new infrastructure. In April, the company increased its annual investment budget to 460 billion yuan from 418.6 billion yuan to serve the initiative, mainly going to fields as UHV, EV charging piles, and new digital infrastructure. State Grid thinks in big-picture terms and from strategic perspective when planing and advancing new digital infrastructure. The 10 tasks were proposed for the following considerations: First, they are concrete efforts to ensure stability on the six fronts and security in the six areas. The new digital infrastructure connects huge investment and demand with growing consumer market, becoming new momentum for economic growth and a new engine for high-quality development. State Grid will make all-out efforts, and serve as a pillar company and promote the development of the whole industry chain. Second, they conform to the industry development trend and can promote the transformation and upgrade of power grids. The key to achieve the strategic goal of State Grid is to promote the in-depth integration of digital technology and power grid technology as well as advance the digital transformation of power grids. State Grid will vigorously develop new digital infrastructure to enhance the capability, value and intelligence of power grids by virtue of digital, network, and smart technologies. It will strive to improve grids in green and safe supply, ubiquitous interconnection, efficient interaction and smart and open network, making power grids smarter, greener and more user friendly. Third, they are practice to apply the new development philosophy and pursue win-win cooperation. Upholding innovation-driven concept and open, cooperative, win-win spirit, State Grid is always committed to building up an energy internet ecosystem featuring collaboration, participation and common interests. State Grid will enhance its partnership with all parties, and pool their wisdom and strength to promote cooperative projects, in an effort to realize the goal of strategic cooperation and vitalize the creativity of energy internet ecosystem, contributing to a better life and a beautiful China.

Representatives from government authorities said that the release of key tasks demonstrates State Grid’s efforts in promoting the nation’s new infrastructure initiative and accelerating the digitalization of the industry, embodies State Grid’s mission as a responsible SOE, and is the action to fulfill the development concept of seeking shared growth and win-win results through collaboration. State Grid is both the main force of traditional infrastructure and the new force of new infrastructure. It is expected that State Grid could continue to leverage its advantage in connecting and driving the whole industry chain, and create a healthy ecosystem for new infrastructure with focus on the construction of new digital infrastructure, thus better serving quality economic and social development.

Companies signing the agreements expressed that State Grid as an important base for new infrastructure is committed to building itself into a model of new digital infrastructure, activating the whole industry chain and developing the electricity-centered energy ecology. Adhering to the concept of openness and mutual benefits, these companies will deepen their pragmatic cooperation with State Grid in such aspects as energy internet, and leverage their influence and leading roles to achieve mutual benefits and common development.

Before the conference, Xin Baoan held talks with representatives from Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu.