This report looks at the potential routes for a future power interconnection between EU and China. China has launched in 2016 the idea of transmitting electricity as far as Germany via an Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) link. China intends to exploit its Renewable Energy Sources (RES) from north-eastern regions both for domestic use and for export. The country has the capabilities to design and build long and powerful systems to transmit electricity across the country for thousands of kilometres.
Three route scenarios are considered and analysed, all starting in RES-rich areas in western China and heading towards Europe on three different paths. High voltage direct current technology is considered and its potential is assessed.
The renewable energy sources in the countries along the potential routes as well as the power sector and power grid in the countries crossed are analysed.