China starts construction on world’s tallest electricity pylon

BEIJING - China has begun construction on a giant electricity pylon, believed to be the world’s tallest, in eastern Zhejiang province, according to the State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company.

The 380-metre tall electricity pylon, also known as a transmission tower or power tower, will be four times the height of London's Elizabeth Tower which houses the bell known as Big Ben, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The power company’s Zhoushan branch said in the announcement that the pylon will carry power cables between Zhoushan’s Jintang and Cezi islands, a distance of 2,656 metres.



Furthermore, it will break the world record for the tallest power pylon, currently held by China’s Damaoshan pylon which stands at 370 metres and is also located in Zhoushan.

This initiative is part of a new ultra-high voltage power line project between the cities of Zhoushan and Ningbo, with the release noting that: “The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 and will be put into use in 2019.”