China's first power highway, an 800kv direct-current transmission line, is scheduled to be constructed this year and put into operation in 2010.

The line will start from southwest China's Yunnan Province to south China's Guangdong Province.

The DC transmission program, said to be the world's first of its kind, is undertaken by China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd.

After more than two years' research, the company has mastered the main technologies needed and will be able to independently develop 60 percent of the equipment.

By People's Daily Online