On December 20, the Hubei Provincial Government Information Office organized a press conference on State Grid Hubei Electric Power’s targeted poverty alleviation efforts and preparations for peak demand and winter. Xu Yimeng, Chief Accountant of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., and Yang Yong, Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Engineer, attended the conference to present relevant information and answer questions from reporters. The press conference was chaired by Zhang Xiufu, Director of the Press Release Division of the Provincial Party Committee’s Publicity Department.

　　Zhang Xiufu, Director of the News Release Division of the Provincial Party Committee’s Publicity Department:

　　Reporter Peng:

　　Good morning! Welcome everyone to the press conference held by the Provincial Government Information Office.

　　Precise poverty alleviation and targeted poverty reduction are a political responsibility for every industry and every front across the country. State Grid has integrated photovoltaic poverty alleviation with designated-area assistance, pioneering a new model of village-level photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations. This approach has provided replicable,借鉴able, and scalable best practices for the development of photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects nationwide, while also playing a demonstrative and leading role among central state-owned enterprises. The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development recently held an on-site conference in Yichang.

　　To enable the general public to gain a deeper understanding of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd.’s proactive efforts in supporting targeted poverty alleviation and fulfilling its social responsibilities, while also informing the public about the power supply and demand situation this winter and next spring, the Provincial Government Information Office has specially invited Xu Yimeng, Chief Accountant of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., and Yang Yong, Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Engineer of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., to provide relevant information and answer questions from reporters.

　　Next, let’s hear from Chief Accountant Xu Yimeng as she provides an overview of targeted poverty alleviation efforts.

　　Xu Yimeng, Chief Accountant of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd.:

　　Dear leaders and media friends:

　　Good morning! First, on behalf of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the leaders and guests attending today’s press conference, and express our heartfelt gratitude for your long‑standing care and support for the company!

　　The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized that enabling impoverished populations and impoverished areas to join the rest of the nation in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects is a solemn commitment made by our Party. To fully build a moderately prosperous society and realize national prosperity, ethnic rejuvenation, and people’s happiness, the most arduous task is poverty alleviation. As a key energy enterprise vital to the national economy and people’s livelihood, the company resolutely implements the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, as well as those of the provincial Party committee and provincial government. We consistently regard carrying out power‑based poverty alleviation as a major political task—and as concrete action to uphold the “Four Consciousnesses” and leverage the “Six Forces” of state‑owned enterprises—integrating it into our corporate development strategy, giving it high priority in our work, and innovatively launching the “State Grid Sunshine Poverty Alleviation Initiative” to help secure victory in the battle against poverty.

　　Now, I will release the Practical Report on Targeted Poverty Alleviation by State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd.

　　 1. Leverage Industry Strengths to Fuel Progress on the Road to Poverty Alleviation

　　Over the years, the company has coordinated urban and rural grid development, provided universal electricity services, and focused on enhancing the power supply reliability of rural grids in remote and impoverished areas. By leveraging power‑based poverty alleviation to drive and extend industrial poverty alleviation, it has made power‑based poverty reduction a key initiative for improving living and production conditions in impoverished regions, and an important engine for achieving targeted poverty eradication.

　　First, we will continue to increase investment in the construction and upgrading of rural power grids. The power grid is a crucial piece of infrastructure for rural economic and social development. In 2016, the nation officially launched the “Two-Year Intensive Campaign” for a new round of rural power grid construction and renovation projects. Our company facilitated the signing of a cooperation agreement between State Grid Corporation of China and the People’s Government of Hubei Province to jointly advance the renovation and upgrade of power grids in small towns (central villages) and the “Electrification of Irrigation Wells” initiative. This June, our company took the lead within the State Grid Corporation of China system in completing its construction and renovation tasks, investing 13.7 billion yuan to bring electricity to 34,516 agricultural irrigation wells (pump stations), renovate and upgrade the power grids in 4,664 small towns (central villages), and extend powered electricity access to 21,850 natural villages—covering 8,875 impoverished villages.

　　Second, we have actively cooperated with the government in implementing relocation projects for poverty alleviation. Relocation for poverty alleviation is a crucial lever for advancing supply-side structural reform, addressing development shortcomings in impoverished areas, and securing a decisive victory in the battle against poverty. To effectively ensure the livelihoods and long‑term development of relocated residents, the company has undertaken supporting power supply services for relocation projects with a strong sense of political responsibility and mission, establishing “green channels” to guarantee that “wherever government‑led relocation projects are carried out, corresponding power infrastructure will be extended accordingly.” In 2017, the company invested 640 million yuan in supporting funds, constructing and upgrading 640.21 kilometers of 10-kV lines with a total capacity of 289,300 kVA, as well as 2,571.84 kilometers of low‑voltage lines, thereby meeting the power needs of centralized resettlement sites for relocation-based poverty alleviation in 51 counties (county-level districts) across 11 prefecture-level cities, benefiting more than 400,000 registered poor households.

　　Third, we have been actively supporting grid‑connection projects for photovoltaic poverty alleviation initiatives. The important directive issued in the “Decision of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Battle Against Poverty,” which calls for “accelerating the advancement of photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects and supporting the integration of photovoltaic power generation facilities into the grid for operation,” fully underscores the high level of attention that the Party Central Committee and the State Council accord to photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects, while also reflecting their strong trust in power grid enterprises. As of the end of November 2017, the company had invested 320 million yuan in supporting grid‑connection projects, with a total installed photovoltaic capacity of 643,500 kilowatts connected to the grid, benefiting 210,000 registered impoverished households. This ensured that photovoltaic power could be reliably generated and effectively utilized, thereby safeguarding the role of new energy in driving poverty alleviation and development.

　　 2. Implement targeted assistance to help impoverished villages realize their dreams of prosperity.

　　The company is fully committed to the overarching principle of “targeted poverty alleviation, leaving no one behind,” adopting a resolute determination to “cling tenaciously to the green mountains” and implementing all‑round, self‑sustaining, targeted assistance tailored to local conditions, thereby driving local residents toward a moderately prosperous life.

　　First, we have been carrying out targeted poverty alleviation efforts in the “Three Counties and One District.” On behalf of State Grid Corporation of China, our company has undertaken the task of targeted poverty alleviation in Hubei’s “Three Counties and One District” (Zigui County, Changyang Tujia Autonomous County, Badong County, and Shennongjia Forestry District) since 1995. Over more than two decades, from infrastructure-based poverty reduction—such as providing access to electricity, clean water, and roads—to intellectual support through initiatives like delivering medical services, educational opportunities, and training programs, our company has invested a total of 130 million yuan in the “Three Counties and One District,” leveraging an additional 204 million yuan in local investment and implementing 421 poverty alleviation projects. By the end of 2016, the per capita annual net income of rural residents in the “Three Counties and One District” had risen from 669.8 yuan to 7,428 yuan, with a cumulative total of 807,000 people lifted out of poverty.

　　Second, we have carried out paired assistance at the provincial, city, and county levels. In accordance with the overall plans set forth by the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People’s Government, the company has successively participated in 12 assistance initiatives, including the pilot program for poverty alleviation and achieving moderate prosperity, the “616” Project, and the Three Gorges Resettlement Program. Units at the provincial, city, and county levels have earnestly fulfilled their responsibilities in paired poverty alleviation work, donating a total of 20.989 million yuan in cash and goods to 214 designated poverty‑alleviation recipients. A total of 127 first secretaries were dispatched to reside in villages, while village work teams numbered 396 person‑times, forming assistance partnerships with 9,379 impoverished households. Through various poverty‑alleviation models—including talent support, industrial assistance, infrastructure development, photovoltaic power generation for poverty alleviation, and educational donations—the company has reduced the financial burden on farmers by nearly 6 billion yuan, effectively improving the production and living conditions of those targeted by poverty alleviation efforts.

　　Third, we have launched power‑assisted poverty alleviation in Tibet. The company has provided strong support for poverty eradication efforts in ethnic minority areas and remote, impoverished regions, participating in the Sichuan–Tibet Interconnection Project and the Qinghai–Tibet Interconnection Project. We have organized eight groups totaling 67 personnel to provide talent assistance to State Grid Tibet Electric Power Co., Ltd., contributing to the economic and social development of the Tibetan region.

　　 3. Innovating in Transparent Poverty Alleviation and Exploring New Paths for Green Poverty Reduction

　　Adapting photovoltaic poverty alleviation efforts to local conditions not only aligns with the targeted poverty alleviation strategy and the nation’s clean, low‑carbon energy development strategy, but also helps expand the photovoltaic power generation market while promoting stable income growth for impoverished populations. In implementing the State Grid’s “Sunshine Poverty Alleviation Initiative,” the company has undertaken the construction of photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations, forging a long‑term, precise, green, and environmentally friendly path to poverty reduction that integrates targeted assistance, photovoltaic poverty alleviation, and new energy development—earning high praise from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

　　First, the poverty alleviation model embodies “comprehensiveness, precision, and stability.” In 2016, the company invested 180 million yuan in the “Three Counties and One District,” building six centralized photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations with a grid-connected capacity of 19,800 kilowatts. In 2017, leveraging Hubei’s unique geographical features and favorable climate and solar irradiance conditions, the company pioneered an innovative model for donating and constructing photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations: it provided full funding of 437 million yuan to build 200-kilowatt photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations in each of the 236 registered impoverished villages within the “Three Counties and One District.” After commissioning, these power stations were donated free of charge to the village collectives, helping over 100,000 impoverished people from 30,000 households to shake off poverty.

　　Second, project construction must ensure “high quality.” The company has developed standard designs, typical equipment, benchmark costs, and standardized procedures for village-level photovoltaic power stations, promoting standardized construction and lean management. With a craftsman’s spirit and the skills of Lu Ban, we are building these power stations into model projects. We have established a three-tier operation and maintenance service system involving village collectives, O&M providers, and general contractors, and integrated the power stations into the State Grid’s distributed PV cloud network, enabling remote monitoring via the “Guang e Bao” mobile app to ensure long-term, stable operation of the power stations for more than 25 years.

　　Third, revenue distribution enhances the “sense of gain.” The company balances “self‑sufficiency” with “external support,” ensuring that the revenues from village-level photovoltaic power stations are precisely allocated to each village, each specific project, each household, and each individual. As of November 30, the 236 village-level photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations had generated a total of 26.2 million kilowatt‑hours of electricity, yielding 25.68 million yuan in power generation revenue. It is estimated that each station will generate approximately 190,000 yuan in poverty‑alleviation‑related revenue annually. To date, 9.51 million yuan in electricity fees have been settled, providing tangible benefits to impoverished communities.

　　Distinguished leaders and media friends, poverty alleviation is currently the most important and urgent political task and people’s livelihood project. State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd. will further fulfill its responsibilities and commitments as a central state‑owned enterprise, shoulder the cause of poverty alleviation with determination, and make new and greater contributions to helping Hubei Province overcome the stronghold of deep poverty, win the battle against poverty on schedule, and secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects!

　　Thank you, everyone!

　　Zhang Xiufu:

　　Thank you, President Xu.

　　Next, let’s welcome Deputy Chief Engineer Yang Yong to brief us on preparations for peak demand and winter operations.

　　Yang Yong, Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Engineer of State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd.:

　　Dear leaders and friends from the media:

　　Hello everyone! First, I would like to extend a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to our media friends who have long been concerned about, supported, and actively promoted and reported on power industry news!

　　Next, I will present information on three aspects.

　　I. Supply and Demand Situation of the Hubei Power Grid During Peak Demand and Winter/Peak Load Season

　　1. Overall power balance: Electricity demand is steadily increasing.

　　This coming winter and spring (December 2017 – March 2018), the Hubei power grid is expected to see electricity consumption of approximately 57.1 billion kilowatt-hours, an increase of about 4.6% year-on-year; the peak load is projected to reach 28.1 million kilowatts, up 10.7% from the previous year; the peak load is expected to occur in mid-to-late January next year.

　　2. Optimize resource allocation to ensure a reliable power supply.

　　First, in terms of hydropower reserves, among the four major river basins in the province, with the exception of the Three Gorges Dam, which is operating at a slightly lower water level compared to the same period last year, the reservoir levels at all other hydropower stations are better than last year. During periods of high winter demand, the province’s (including the Three Gorges) centrally dispatched hydropower capacity is expected to reach approximately 5.19 million kilowatts, with a total power supply of about 12 billion kilowatt-hours over this winter and next spring. Second, regarding thermal power resources, the maximum adjustable output is projected to be around 23.5 million kilowatts, with a total power supply of roughly 46.3 billion kilowatt-hours over this winter and next spring. Third, in terms of purchased power, primarily from clean energy sources in North China and Northwest China, peak supply capacity is expected to be about 560,000 kilowatts, with a total power supply of approximately 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours over this winter and next spring. Fourth, concerning new energy within the province, wind and solar power are expected to generate about 1.6 million kilowatts of electricity, delivering roughly 5.2 billion kilowatt-hours of power. Based on the above analysis, the maximum available power supply for Hubei’s power grid this winter and next spring is approximately 30.85 million kilowatts, with a total centrally dispatched power supply of about 64.8 billion kilowatt-hours. Assuming no extreme adverse weather conditions and normal coal supply and transportation, the grid can meet electricity demand of 28.1 million kilowatts and 57.1 billion kilowatt-hours.

　　3. Pay close attention to coal supply for power generation and leverage the advantages of the large power grid in ensuring supply.

　　As of December 18, Hubei Province’s coal inventory stood at 3.8361 million tons. This winter and next spring, Hubei’s centrally dispatched thermal power plants are expected to generate approximately 38.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, requiring about 16.25 million tons of coal—equivalent to an average monthly consumption of 4.06 million tons. Since Hubei’s coal supply for power generation is entirely dependent on imports from other provinces, the possibility of tight coal supplies impacting power generation cannot be ruled out.

　　II. Main Measures to Ensure Power Supply

　　1. Accelerate efforts to address shortcomings in distribution network development and improve power quality.

　　Since 2015, Hubei has taken the lead nationwide in launching a new round of rural distribution network upgrades and renovations, prioritizing the renovation of agricultural grids in 29 newly incorporated counties and 37 poverty‑stricken counties, gradually addressing the shortcomings in rural distribution network development and achieving remarkable results.

　　As of June 30 this year, the company had invested 13.7 billion yuan and successfully completed the “Two-Year Hard Battle” task in the first batch nationwide. Specifically, 4.5 billion yuan was invested to bring electricity to 34,500 well pumps (pump stations), 5.9 billion yuan was allocated to upgrade and modernize the power grids in 4,664 small towns (central villages), and 3.3 billion yuan was used to implement the project of providing powered electricity to 21,900 natural villages. Thanks to large-scale rural grid upgrades in recent years, the average per-household capacity of rural power grids has increased by 0.3 kVA per household, resolving “low-voltage” issues in 21,000 distribution areas and affecting 570,000 households, effectively eliminating virtually all existing “low-voltage” problems across the province.

　　2. Improve coordination and collaboration mechanisms to enhance real‑world emergency response capabilities.

　　In light of the operational characteristics of the power grid during winter, the company has refined its emergency response plan for power grid operations in the face of severe weather events such as rain, snow, and freezing conditions, making every effort to ensure reliable power emergency response and swift restoration of power supply.

　　Ensure that grid equipment is in good condition and can safely withstand the winter; develop contingency plans for addressing grid risks and conduct anti-accident drills. Make every effort to ensure reliable power supply for critical users and during key periods. Formulate and implement power‑supply assurance measures for important users and critical timeframes, with a particular focus on strengthening safety measures for power supply at all levels—covering transportation hubs such as provincial and municipal government facilities, railways, highways, and shipping terminals, as well as public venues. Enhance equipment operation, maintenance, and emergency repair management. Strengthen the operation and maintenance of grid equipment: during special periods, restore manned staffing at key substations and arrange personnel for on‑site monitoring along critical transmission lines, while reinforcing rapid response capabilities for handling equipment defects and resolving faults.

　　3. Optimize the Development Environment for the Power Grid

　　The power grid is a critical piece of infrastructure that underpins the province’s economic and social life. Creating a favorable environment in which all sectors of society jointly support the development of the power grid is of paramount importance for promoting comprehensive economic and social development, ensuring the normal order of people’s production and daily life, and safeguarding social harmony and stability. Here, we would like to put forward three initiatives:

　　1. Strengthen the protection of power facilities and ensure public safety of the power grid.

　　Winter is a critical period for the protection of power facilities. Over the past three years, 103 outages on 220 kV and above transmission lines in Hubei Province have been caused by wildfires and accidental contact with construction equipment. We urge the general public to actively participate in the protection of power facilities: when sudden wildfire emergencies threaten the normal operation of power lines, please promptly notify the 95598 Power Supply Service Hotline to ensure the public safety of the power grid.

　　2. Prevent electrical fire accidents and ensure the safety of lives and property.

　　According to statistics, nearly 30% of fires are caused by electrical equipment malfunctions, short circuits in electrical wiring, or careless use of heating appliances. At the same time, the total number of fires occurring in winter and spring is 36.6% higher than in summer and autumn, making electrical fires the primary source of potential hazards. Recently, the major fire in Daxing, Beijing, once again sounded an alarm about safety—especially in densely populated residential areas and high‑rise buildings, where electrical fire incidents are particularly challenging to extinguish and often result in severe damage. These areas represent critical focal points and weak links in public safety governance. In light of this, we warmly remind the general public to take proactive measures to prevent electrical fires: inspect indoor wiring and appliances for signs of aging, ensure that wire cross‑sections can meet the power requirements of high‑powered devices, and check for unsafe practices such as unauthorized wiring, improper connections, or illegal charging. Our company will also actively carry out electricity inspections to ensure safe electricity usage for the public and safeguard lives and property.

　　3. Support the implementation of power grid planning and construction, fostering a harmonious development environment.

　　During peak demand periods in winter, when overloading occurs, the company will promptly arrange for substation construction and transformer capacity upgrades. However, based on recent years’ experience, some grid construction projects still face significant challenges in being implemented—some have been stalled for as long as several years, leaving residents in surrounding areas with unresolved electricity access issues. We would like to once again appeal through the media for everyone’s understanding and support of grid development, working together to create a harmonious power‑use environment.

　　The power industry is vital to the national economy and people’s livelihood, serving countless households. It is our important responsibility to ensure a smooth peak‑load period and winter preparedness, and to guarantee a reliable power supply during the Spring Festival. We earnestly request that news media intensify their publicity efforts, guiding the entire society to use electricity in a scientific and rational manner while conserving energy, supporting the protection of power facilities, and working together to maintain a sound order in power generation and consumption. This will ensure safe, reliable, and orderly power supply during the peak‑load and winter periods, allowing the people of Hubei to celebrate a bright and festive Spring Festival.

　　Thank you, everyone!

　　Zhang Xiufu:

　　Thank you, President Yang.

　　Now we’ll move on to the Q&A session. Journalists, please feel free to ask questions on any topics that interest you.

　　Hubei Daily Reporter:

　　State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd. has achieved remarkable results in leveraging its industry strengths to carry out targeted poverty alleviation and photovoltaic poverty reduction initiatives. So, how will poverty alleviation work be carried out in 2018?

　　Xu Yimeng:

　　Next, the company will fully implement the state’s requirements for targeted poverty alleviation through designated assistance programs, accelerate the integrated development of urban and rural power grids, and continue to make positive contributions to the fight against poverty.

　　First, we will focus on industry‑driven poverty alleviation, giving priority to deeply impoverished counties and registered poor villages. We will prioritize the upgrading and renovation of rural power grids in impoverished counties—especially those that are deeply impoverished—and in registered poor villages, increasing the number of distribution stations and reducing the power supply radius to improve power quality and ensure that rural economies and farmers’ production and daily lives are adequately supported. We will continue to ensure that poor villages have access to reliable power, that supporting projects for relocation-based poverty alleviation are completed, and that grid‑connection projects for photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations are successfully implemented, so that impoverished people can benefit sooner and lift themselves out of poverty more quickly.

　　Second, we will consolidate the achievements of targeted poverty alleviation in the “Three Counties and One District” and work hard to deepen these efforts. Based on the actual conditions of the “Three Counties and One District,” we will rationally identify poverty alleviation projects, focus on cultivating distinctive, advantageous industries, enhance their self-sustaining capacity, and truly implement precise poverty alleviation that brings benefits directly to households and individuals. This will ensure that poverty alleviation projects deliver strong results, enjoy high levels of public satisfaction, and generate significant social benefits.

　　Third, we will leverage industry-specific characteristics to develop a new, power‑driven model for poverty alleviation. We will vigorously promote clean energy consumption in impoverished areas, increase investment in electric power substitution initiatives, and expand the “Electrification+” approach, supporting projects such as electrified schools, electrified tea‑roasting facilities, and electrified kitchens. Where conditions permit—such as at rural tourism hubs—we will build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, and improve rural transportation infrastructure, enabling impoverished areas to enjoy the convenience brought by clean energy. In light of actual grid conditions and national industrial development policies, we will select one or two impoverished villages and towns to develop distinctive, eco‑friendly energy towns centered on electric power substitution, electric vehicle charging and discharging, and distributed photovoltaic power generation, thereby exploring new models and innovative highlights in power‑based poverty alleviation.

　　Fourth, we are providing talent support and pairing assistance to strive for targeted poverty alleviation. We have dispatched more than 200 village-level poverty alleviation officials who work closely with the village Party branch and village committee, identifying projects and developing plans, offering tailored guidance based on local conditions, and delivering concrete benefits, addressing real problems, and solving practical difficulties for the villages they are stationed in—achieving excellent results in targeted poverty alleviation. We have also organized Party members and cadres at all levels to form “one‑to‑one” pairing relationships with impoverished households, helping them shake off poverty at an early date.

　　Hubei Voice Reporter:

　　In the context of the current natural gas supply shortage across the province, how can the general public use electricity as a substitute to get through the “gas crunch”?

　　Yang Yong:

　　Recently, due to a shortage of natural gas supplies, most regions across the country have experienced a “gas crunch,” causing inconvenience for residents’ daily lives. In fact, in many areas where natural gas is used as a source of energy for household needs, electric power can completely serve as a viable alternative.

　　The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China called for the continued implementation of air pollution prevention and control initiatives to win the battle for blue skies. In recent years, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Company has vigorously promoted “Electrification+” through grid upgrades and renovations, making Hubei more beautiful with bluer skies, greener mountains, cleaner waters, and a more picturesque environment.

　　State Grid Hubei Electric Power has taken the lead in completing the “Two-Year Hard Battle” target for rural power grid renovation, significantly enhancing power supply capacity and quality across both urban and rural areas. At the same time, during the grid renovation process, priority was given to planning and implementing supporting projects for electric energy substitution, with dedicated investments totaling 70 million yuan. State Grid Hubei Electric Power has launched “Electrification+” initiatives across six major sectors: industry, agriculture, transportation, education, tourism, and people’s livelihoods. In particular, in the realm of people’s livelihoods, the company has vigorously carried out the “Buy Appliances, Get Electricity Bill Discounts” campaign, effectively improving living standards and raising the quality of life for residents. The widespread adoption of electric energy substitution in the field of people’s livelihoods has fully unlocked the benefits of distribution network upgrades, guiding and encouraging residential customers to “use more electricity—and use it well,” thereby making people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security more substantial, more secure, and more sustainable.

　　In terms of electrification in residential households, natural gas is primarily used for cooking in the kitchen, providing hot water via wall-mounted boilers, and for winter heating. If these applications were switched to electric cooktops, electric water heaters, and other electrical appliances, there would be no open flames during cooking and no exhaust emissions, making the process cleaner and more convenient. When it comes to heating, devices such as air conditioners, electric radiators, electric heaters, and carbon crystal electric heating systems can fully replace natural gas wall-mounted boilers. In particular, carbon crystal electric heating—widely praised in recent years—offers significant advantages, including rapid heat generation, even heat distribution, non‑drying air, and high comfort. Over a single heating season, the costs are roughly 12% lower than those associated with natural gas wall‑mounted boilers.

　　At present, Hubei Province has an ample and reliable power supply. Please rest assured when using electricity and comfortably get through this winter’s “gas shortage.”

　　Zhang Xiufu:

　　Due to time constraints, we’ll conclude the Q&A session here. Electricity is a barometer of economic development—please continue to follow and support grid construction and power sector development.

　　That concludes today’s press conference—thank you, everyone!