河北开展多用户绿电直连项目申报 建成投产前严禁变更投资主体Hebei launches multi-user green electricity direct connection project applications; changes to the investment entity are strictly prohibited before completion and commissioning

Recently, the Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued a notice on the requirements and project application work for implementing multi-user direct green power connections. It clarified that multi-user direct green power connection refers to a model where renewable energy power generation, such as wind power, solar power, and biomass power, does not directly connect to the public grid, but supplies green electricity to multiple users through dedicated lines and substation facilities, achieving clear tracing and allocation of supplied electricity.

The notice requires that projects should reasonably plan the installed capacity of renewable energy according to the principle of "matching generation to load." The proportion of self-generated and self-used electricity annually for the entire project to total available generation should not be less than 60%, and the proportion to total electricity consumption should not be less than 30%, reaching at least 35% before 2030; for grid-connected projects, the proportion of electricity fed into the grid to total available generation should not exceed 20%. Projects should enhance local consumption capacity through reasonable energy storage configuration, improving centralized control management capability, tapping the potential for flexible load adjustment, and carrying out multi-energy complementarity.

In terms of investment and construction management, the notice clarifies that the project investment entity shall strictly approve (or file for record) and construct the project in accordance with the approved project and implementation plan. Power generation projects are strictly prohibited from being constructed on a larger scale than approved, and any change of investment entity or equity ratio before completion and commissioning is strictly forbidden. If a wholly-owned subsidiary registered needs to be changed, it shall be submitted by the municipal-level energy authority to the provincial-level energy authority for review. The relocation of power generation project construction sites is strictly controlled, and any necessary change must also be submitted for provincial-level review.

In terms of market participation, the project should, in principle, participate in electricity market transactions as a whole, with the principal responsible entity making a unified declaration. Initially, the project may participate in the electricity spot market by 'declaring quantity without bidding,' and gradually transition to 'declaring quantity with bidding' once conditions are mature. Projects may not have electricity purchased on their behalf by grid companies; the principal entity is responsible for unified settlement of electricity fees with the public grid. Grid-connected and off-grid projects shall pay government funds and surcharges in accordance with current policies.

The notice clarifies that multi-user direct green power connections will focus on supporting key industries such as steel, petrochemicals, building materials, equipment, computing power, transportation, green hydrogen, and coal power, as well as provincial characteristic industry clusters; industrial parks, zero-carbon parks, and incremental distribution networks, whether fully or partially loaded, can connect to renewable energy sources to form projects nearby; existing loads at oil and gas fields and key coastal ports (Qinhuangdao Port, Tangshan Port, Huanghua Port) are also applicable. Enterprises with green power consumption requirements, key energy-consuming enterprises, key carbon-emitting enterprises, and export-oriented enterprises with carbon reduction needs are all eligible to participate.

Following the principle of 'report one as it matures,' Hebei will regularly organize the application work for green power direct connection projects. Energy authorities in each city and county should guide applicants to prepare comprehensive implementation plans that cover power sources and loads, direct connection lines, and access systems, specifying site layout, installed capacity, construction arrangements, land use, ecological and environmental protection, and other aspects, and should specifically evaluate source-load matching, system risks, electricity safety, and power quality.

Regarding the strict assessment and exit mechanism, Hebei has specified that the city-level energy authorities, together with local power grid companies, will monitor and evaluate the operation of projects every year. For projects whose operational indicators fail to meet requirements for three consecutive years, a third-party verification and assessment will be organized. Projects that are genuinely not feasible will be reported to the provincial energy authorities, and the provincial power grid company will re-evaluate the grid connection and power integration conditions of the power projects. Projects that meet the criteria can be converted into ordinary renewable energy projects.

[Source: Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission]

[Editor: Xiao Neng]