The State Grid Gansu Electric Power Company reported on Feb 11 that power consumption by the "new three" industries in Gansu - comprising new energy vehicle manufacturing, lithium-ion battery production, and photovoltaic manufacturing - totaled 406 million kilowatt-hours in 2024, representing a 24.54 percent year-on-year increase.

The first 100-megawatt molten salt tower concentrated solar power plant in China and the 750kV Shayang and Shadun transmission lines, located in Guazhou county, Jiuquan, Gansu province. [Photo by Han Tiantian for gogansu.com]

Among these industries, new energy vehicle manufacturing showed the most dramatic growth, with power consumption soaring 240.11 percent to 7 million kilowatt-hours. Lithium-ion battery production followed with 158 million kilowatt-hours, up 33.01 percent, while photovoltaic manufacturing consumed 241 million kilowatt-hours, registering a 17.38 percent increase.

State Grid workers inspect new energy charging equipment at Zhangye High School to promote photovoltaic power utilization and support "zero-carbon campus" development. [Photo by Pan Lei for gogansu.com]

Known collectively as China's "new three" export pillars, these industries serve as crucial economic indicators. The substantial rise in power consumption not only demonstrates Gansu's successful positioning as a major national hub for new energy and equipment manufacturing but also signals breakthrough progress in the province's new energy exports, reflecting a positive trend toward economic growth, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

The province achieved several notable milestones in 2024, securing approval to establish a National New Energy Comprehensive Development and Utilization Demonstration Zone. Gansu added 12.58 million kilowatts of new energy capacity, bringing its total installed capacity to 64.37 million kilowatts. This achievement placed the province second nationwide in both installed capacity and power generation. The new energy and equipment manufacturing sector reached an impressive output value of 83 billion yuan ($11.4 billion), underlining the region's growing prominence in sustainable industrial development.