State Grid upgrades aim to reduce haze

The electricity grid is being upgraded to help combat smog in major cities.

As of January, China had completed the construction of five ultrahigh-voltage transmission lines; two more had been submitted for approval and another six were in the pipeline, an official from the State Grid said recently.

"The ultrahigh-voltage transmission lines can transmit power from western China to the east, optimize the energy distribution system, increase efficient use of clean energy and improve the eco-environment in Central China," said Zhang Zhengling, deputy director of the State Grid's development-and-planning department.