China is to introduce a series of measures to streamline electricity access for private firms, Song Hongkun, deputy head of the National Energy Administration, said at a press briefing Thursday in Beijing.
The preferential policy of free and zero-approval power connection for micro and small-enterprises using low voltage electricity will be further expanded to cover a wider scope of services to reduce their operating burdens, according to Song.
"Business owners applying to open shops and farmers to run farmhouse resorts can all enjoy free electricity connection. The number of new beneficiaries is expected to reach approximately 1.5 million within the next five years," he told reporters.
Grid operators in China are required to make public the electricity installation standards, and accurately match the power demand of private enterprises so as to support the production and operation of private enterprises, he said.
China is also increasing the investment in rural power grid transformation. A total of five billion yuan (about 696 million U.S.dollars) of special funds have been allocated so far this year to upgrade power grid equipment and optimize grid structure in rural areas.
Measures have been taken to build high-level rural power grid to meet new demands for distributed photovoltaic access and electric vehicle charging, Song said.
China to streamline electricity access for private firms
