In Lin'an District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, a major ultra-high voltage (UHV) project is taking shape – one that not only transmits clean energy but also promises to restore and even enhance the farmland above it.

The project is part of the Gansu-Zhejiang 800 kilovolts UHV direct current transmission line, designed to deliver wind and solar power from northwest China to the eastern regions. Current construction is focused on the receiving-end grounding electrode, a key component of the system.

The works have temporarily occupied 345 mu (23 hectares) of land, with excavation reaching depths of up to five meters. Once construction is complete, the site will be restored for agricultural use, enabling a dual-use model in which transmission facilities are buried underground while rice can be cultivated above.

To support this, topsoil and subsoil are excavated and stored separately during construction. This method helps preserve soil structure and ensures conditions for effective land reclamation.

The project also aims to go beyond basic restoration. Researchers are applying soil improvement techniques, including biochar and beneficial microorganisms, to enhance soil fertility. The goal is not only to restore productivity but to improve it, with the potential to increase crop yields above pre-construction levels.

Connecting clean energy bases in northwest China with farmland in eastern regions, the project reflects an approach that integrates large-scale infrastructure with sustainable land use and ecological management.