What does it take to keep the lights on—every second of every day?
In 2024, Hengqin, an island in southern China, recorded an average power outage time of zero seconds. But keeping a grid this reliable is getting harder as more wind, solar, EVs and power-hungry AI come online.
Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, journalists from across APEC economies visited Hengqin to see some of the technologies behind its power grid.
In this episode of China Xplained, we go inside a 220-kV substation to find out how China is building a grid designed to almost never go down.
Reporters: Xie Hongzhou, Li Fangwang
Cameraman: Guo Hongda
Video: Guo Hongda
Poster: Xie Hongzhou
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