Chongqing- Chongqing and Sichuan delegations suggested accelerating the integrated construction of Sichuan-Chongqing energy security for the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5. 

The regional coordinated development is one of the keywords by the government work report released this year. The Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is part of national strategies to achieve high-quality development and create an open inland strategic high ground in Western China. 

A picture of Chengdu. (iChongqing file photo)

Energy security in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle

Since the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle was first proposed on January 3, 2020, two sides have joined hands to make progress in a wide variety of areas for deeper integration and sharing of resources. 

However, the status quo of energy security in the two places has not matched the development positioning and mission tasks undertaken in the country's overall situation. 

Sichuan and Chongqing are plagued by shortages of energy infrastructure construction, imposing limits on the development of the two places. 

While western Sichuan is a crucial hydropower base in the country, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is the load center of the whole Sichuan-Chongqing region. 

Currently, the grid frame structure between Sichuan and Chongqing is relatively weak, and the existing transmission channels in the two places are have tended to be saturated. 

Sichuan-Chongqing energy cooperation 

Relevant deputies believed that Sichuan and Chongqing are abundant in hydropower and natural gas resources and have a solid foundation of energy cooperation. 

To deepen the energy cooperation between the two places, the relevant departments signed the cooperation agreement to promote the high-quality development of energy integration. 

With the aim to create a nationally influential demonstration area for energy's green and efficient use and an essential clean and low-carbon energy production base, two sides will push together for more than 20 major energy projects.

Natural gas production capacity base of 100 billion cubic meters, gas storage group with ten billion-level working gas capacity, northern coal into Sichuan-Chongqing channel are some of the joint projects made in the plan. 

Chongqing Chang'an New Energy Vehicles Technology Co., Ltd., a representative enterprise in the new energy vehicles industry. (Photo/Chongqing Chang'an Group)

Suggestions for 2022 Two Sessions 

In order to accelerate the integrated development of Sichuan-Chongqing energy sharing, deputies suggested that the national energy security key areas should include Sichuan and Chongqing to cope with the energy problems. 

In detail, hydropower and natural gas consumption should be used locally to solve the kerosene shortages.

The deputies called for the construction of natural gas power generation projects in load centers and natural gas production areas and the cooperation between Sichuan-Chongqing with coal-producing provinces and large energy groups. 

Furthermore, the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor is also an essential initiate for energy sharing.

In other words, Chengdu-Chongqing can design and build hydrogen refueling stations and establish a public service system for research and development, testing, certification of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Zhang Xinghai, one of the deputies to the NPC, suggested new energy sharing in Chengdu-Chongqing for electric vehicles at the 2022 Two Sessions. 

Besides, delegates proposed that the major national projects in Sichuan and Chongqing should be included in the separate list of energy consumption and that the government should offer financial incentives to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.