Electric power escorts Xinjiang’s small seabuckthorn cultivation industry

Walking along the highways of Wushi County, Xinjiang, the red sea buckthorn berries contrast beautifully against the blue sky and fluffy white clouds, adding a distinct charm to the autumn landscape. In recent years, Wushi County has leveraged its geographical designation as the “Hometown of Sea Buckthorn” to develop a comprehensive industry chain that integrates sea buckthorn seedling research and development, cultivation, deep processing, and eco-tourism.

“Sea buckthorn can thrive in sandy and desert terrains due to its windbreak and sand-fixing properties. With stable electricity, we can now pump water for irrigation. Our cultivated area has exceeded 160,000 acres, and production continues to increase year by year,” said Chen Xinlei, the director of the Wushi County Yuanmai Sea Buckthorn Nursery.

To support rural revitalization, the State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company has proactively planned to meet the electricity demands associated with industrial development. They have optimized the power grid and consistently improved their service quality, ensuring that reliable power supports the dual ecological and economic success of the sea buckthorn industry.

In addition, the company has constructed a 35 kV substation and upgraded the distribution lines to enhance the reliability of the rural power grid, ensuring that electricity needs for irrigation in agriculture are met.

On the 21st, within the production workshop of Yushang Jinjic Company, workers were busy sterilizing the facility. Nearby, team members from the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Tianshan Snow Lotus (Aksu Wushi) Communist Party Service Team were inspecting the electrical equipment.

“We can produce 30,000 bottles a day, with an annual capacity of 300 tons. Today, while we’re cleaning and sterilizing our production equipment, the power supply staff are helping us check our electrical devices to prepare for peak production times,” said Aziguli Tulson, the workshop manager.

The State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company regularly visits sea buckthorn deep processing enterprises to assess their varying electricity needs throughout different production stages. They conduct safety inspections, identify potential hazards, and offer energy-saving and efficiency-improving recommendations, all aimed at transforming “small sea buckthorn” into a “big industry.”

Known as the “King of Vitamin C,” sea buckthorn is a plant with medicinal and culinary applications. As the cultivation area expands, Wushi County has established a full industrial chain encompassing research and development, planting, production, processing, sales, and cultural tourism. The range of sea buckthorn products has grown to over 20 varieties, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and health products, with sales reaching major coastal cities.