Linfen, January 12 (Xinhua) -- Title: "Dual Guardians" on the Banks of the Yellow River: The Dedication and Responsibility of an 11-Person Power Supply Station
Authors: Gao Yuqing, Yan Yongfang
On the banks of the Yellow River, winter's chill is palpable. Yet, at the construction site of the Guxian Water Conservancy Project, located in the central part of the Jin-Shaanxi Grand Canyon, a scene of bustling activity unfolds. Amidst the roar of machinery, this major project, included in the national "14th Five-Year Plan," is racing against time to meet its deadlines.
Meanwhile, 20 kilometers away, in the simple courtyard of the Wencheng Power Supply Station of the Jixian Power Supply Company in Linfen, Shanxi Province, Director Chen Jinmin and his 10 team members are ready to go. Wencheng Town is located west of Hukou Waterfall and north of the Guxian Dam site. It is a place that holds the key to the millennium-long plan for the safety of the Yellow River, and also supports the warm daily life of thousands of families.
Employees of the Wencheng Power Supply Station of the State Grid Jixian Power Supply Company are inspecting the 10kV Guxian construction line. (Photo by Yan Yongfang)Power supply is the key to overcoming engineering challenges.
"Power on!" At 18:20 on January 11, with the successful closing of the 10kV 844 Wencheng Line Wencheng Xincun Santai District, all four newly added transformers in the Wencheng area were put into operation, marking the successful completion of the half-month-long power grid expansion project. This move completely resolved the problems of heavy line overload, low voltage, and three-phase load imbalance in the local area.
This capacity expansion stems directly from an urgent practical need. As a key project in the national water and sediment regulation system, the Guxian Water Conservancy Project has had over 1,500 construction workers stationed in Wencheng since construction began in 2024. The continuous increase in electricity load from various construction equipment and personnel living arrangements has overwhelmed Wencheng's original two transformers with a total capacity of 515 kVA.
Pressure is an order. The State Grid Jixian Power Supply Company, with proactive planning and coordination, decided to gradually increase the number of transformers to eight, raising the total capacity to 3000 kVA. On January 6th, with temperatures dropping to -10 degrees Celsius, a tense transformer installation operation unfolded in the cold wind.
"Slow down, keep a safe distance!" Chen Jinmin kept a close eye on the crane, watching as a 400 kVA transformer was steadily lowered into place. To ensure "zero power outages" for the project construction to the greatest extent possible, this connection operation was carried out entirely using live-line working methods.
"Adding these four transformers is like installing a 'pacemaker' for this area," said Chen Jinmin. Now, the "heart" is beating powerfully, the electric engine is running at full speed, and it is effectively protecting the steady progress of this major national project.
Employees of the State Grid Jixian Power Supply Company are installing a 400 kVA transformer. (Photo by Yan Yongfang)The scenic area's power supply service is heartwarming.
This year, Chen Jinmin shoulders a dual mission: on one hand, the "dynamic pulse" of the Ancient Sage Project, and on the other hand, the "brilliant lights" of the Hukou Scenic Area.
More than ten kilometers north of the power supply station, the Hukou Waterfall flows ceaselessly. During the Spring Festival holiday, the daily number of tourists here is expected to exceed 20,000. The entire tourism industry chain, including scenic area lighting, security monitoring, ticketing systems, charging stations, and guesthouses, relies on a stable power supply.
"While others are celebrating holidays, we're on duty," Chen Jinmin said with a smile. In 2025 alone, they completed six high-level power supply guarantee tasks, including a cross-strait concert commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan and the retrocession of Taiwan, delivering an outstanding performance of "zero errors, zero flickering, and zero complaints."
Right now, he and his colleagues are shuttling between the scenic area and its surroundings: testing specialized equipment, maintaining charging facilities, and visiting businesses to promote safe electricity use. The "Hukou Power Station," which opened next to the scenic area, provides heartwarming services such as hot water, rest areas, and emergency charging, becoming a bright spot in the winter.
"This winter, my phone's step counter shows over 10,000 steps every day. Hukou is our old stronghold, and Guxian is our new battlefield. We can't afford to slacken our efforts on either side," Chen Jinmin said.
"The director often says that the more steps we take, the fewer hidden dangers there are; the more places we check, the lower the risk of power outages." Feng Pu, a college graduate who just joined the company, said, "Following him on patrols, I not only learned the technology, but also his sense of responsibility."
Construction site of the Guxian Water Conservancy Project on the Yellow River. Photo by Yan Yongfang.The lights remain on, guarding us day and night.
The Wencheng Power Supply Station has 11 employees and is responsible for supplying power to more than 5,400 households across an area of 340 square kilometers. "The users are scattered, with the furthest one being more than 80 kilometers away from the station," said Chen Jinmin. "But no matter how far away they are, we are there whenever they call—the voltage must be stable and the current must be sufficient."
Recently, they assisted more than 20 households in completing the renovation of old indoor wiring. Before the Spring Festival, all staff members will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the equipment under their jurisdiction, scanning each connector with an infrared thermometer and measuring each section of wiring on foot.
As night fell, the power grid data on the screen in the duty room remained stable. "Every normal parameter on the instrument is the most reassuring 'gain' for us," said the staff member on duty.
“It would be a lie to say I don’t miss home during holidays.” Chen Jinmin looked out the window at the lights gradually coming on, his voice gentle but firm. “But the Guxian project is a national priority. The brothers on the construction site are working day and night, and the power supply must be guaranteed. The people of Wencheng can’t live or work without electricity for a moment. We feel at ease staying here.”
In his eyes, protecting the light is not just a job, but a heavy responsibility: "The sooner the Ancient Sage Project is completed, the more peaceful the Yellow River will be, and the sooner the people will benefit—such dedication is worthwhile."
Amidst the surging roar of the Hukou Waterfall and the deep ravines of the Loess Plateau, countless power industry workers like Chen Jinmin traverse mountains and rivers with their footsteps, illuminating lives with their expertise. They deliver not only electricity, but also warmth, peace of mind, and the ever-present light and spring to this land. (End)
