Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the ultra-high voltage (UHV) power transmission industry in China, discussing the current status, challenges, and future trends of UHV projects and technologies. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Construction Progress and Challenges** UHV construction is experiencing delays due to multiple factors, including slow approval processes, low utilization rates of existing lines (generally below 50%), adjustments in energy transition policies, long technology iteration cycles, and economic considerations. Human resources have also been diverted to new energy infrastructure projects [1][2][3]. 2. **Demand for Cross-Regional Transmission** Despite short-term suppression of UHV demand due to declining photovoltaic (PV) station returns, the uneven distribution of energy resources and policy direction ensure a rigid demand for cross-regional transmission. The government will continue to promote UHV network interconnections, particularly transporting energy from the western and northern regions to central and eastern load centers [1][6]. 3. **Increased Proportion of Renewable Energy in New Projects** The proportion of renewable energy bundled in new UHV projects is expected to increase, with a greater reliance on hydropower and other renewable sources for bundled transmission. However, thermal power remains competitive due to its stability in large-capacity power supply [1][7]. 4. **Flexible DC Technology (FDC) Prospects** The application of flexible DC technology is anticipated to grow significantly, with projections indicating that 60%-70% of new DC line converter stations will adopt this technology by 2030. The penetration rate of new lines is expected to exceed 80% [1][12]. 5. **Cost Reduction in Key Components** The cost of flexible DC converter valves is expected to decrease from approximately 5 billion yuan to around 3.5 billion yuan by 2030, primarily due to advancements in domestic production of key components like IGBT and silicon carbide materials [2][13]. 6. **Supply Chain Bottlenecks** The production of UHV transformers faces significant bottlenecks due to a shortage of high-end imported insulation materials, particularly T4 grade paperboard. Domestic companies are expanding capacity but still rely on expensive imports [2][21][19]. 7. **Future UHV Project Plans** Several UHV lines are scheduled to commence construction between late 2025 and 2026, including routes from southeastern Tibet to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and from Inner Mongolia to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei [2][28][29]. 8. **Impact of PV Station Returns on UHV Projects** The decline in PV station returns has temporarily suppressed UHV external demand, particularly in regions like Qinghai and Gansu. However, long-term cross-regional transmission remains a necessity due to resource distribution and policy needs [6]. 9. **Market Growth for Renewable Energy** The renewable energy market is projected to reach a scale of 100 billion yuan by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Despite reductions in wind and solar power, hydropower and nuclear energy are expected to continue growing [7]. 10. **Domestic Production and Market Dynamics** Domestic brands currently supply about 5% of the UHV transformer market, with expectations for gradual increases in localization rates as new capacities come online by 2026-2027 [21][23]. Other Important but Potentially Overlooked Content - The internal rate of return for some projects has decreased due to market trading developments, leading to project delays. Local financial conditions and social resistance also impact project timelines [3]. - The competitive advantage of thermal power remains significant, especially in scenarios of water scarcity, highlighting the need for a balanced energy supply system [8]. - The development of large hydropower projects, such as the Yaxia Hydropower Station, is expected to significantly enhance China's overall power generation capacity [9]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and projections regarding the UHV industry, emphasizing the interplay between technology, market dynamics, and policy influences.