China has completed the final connection of the northern line of its largest long-distance heating pipeline, a major project set to begin supplying clean energy to millions in Jinan, Shandong province, during the heating season this winter.

Repurposing industrial waste heat, this initiative underscores the nation's commitment to improving air quality and advancing sustainable energy solutions.

The northern line, which channels excess heat from power plants in Shandong's Liaocheng over vast distances to Jinan, finalized its connections and underwent cold commissioning in late October.

This segment alone spans 110 kilometers and boasts a 1.6-meter diameter, making it currently China's longest, largest and strongest-capacity long-distance heating pipeline. It is designed to provide heating to Jinan's central urban area.

Meanwhile, an equally ambitious southern line is slated for connection by year-end. Once both lines are fully operational, the combined 150-kilometer network is projected to heat an impressive 100 million square meters across Jinan.

Upon full operation of the entire system, the undertaking promises substantial environmental benefits. Officials estimate a reduction of approximately 1.3 million metric tons in standard coal consumption each heating season.

Jinan will shut down 54 coal-fired heating boilers in its main urban area by the end of this year. This move is anticipated to drastically improve local air quality, providing a healthier environment for residents. It demonstrates a tangible commitment to cleaner energy.

Analysts view the project as a critical step toward decarbonizing urban heating in China, offering a blueprint for sustainable development.

"The closure of coal-fired boilers demonstrates a tangible commitment to cleaner energy," said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

"This model presents a viable blueprint for other industrial hubs seeking to leverage existing energy infrastructure for sustainable urban development," he said.

Across the northern region of China, the heating sector largely relies on coal-generated electricity. This heavy dependence on coal presents a significant hurdle for the nation as it pursues ambitious carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets.

Replacing existing coal-fired infrastructure with clean energy alternatives will undoubtedly be a protracted and complex undertaking. However, pioneering initiatives like this long-distance heat supply project demonstrate a viable path forward, he said.

"Successful large-scale clean heating projects encourage wider adoption and replication of similar solutions across the region," he said.

"Overcoming economic challenges will require continued investment, robust policy support and technological innovation to secure a sustainable, clean heating future."

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn