Baotou Aluminum Industry Shifts to Green Smart Cables Eyes Billiondollar Growth

BAOTOU, China — A quiet industrial revolution is unfolding in Baotou's Donghe District, where a $2.4 billion green smart cable project promises to transform this northern Chinese city from an aluminum supplier into a high-end manufacturing hub.

The project serves as a cornerstone for China's dual carbon objectives, developing specialized cables that reduce power transmission losses by up to 30% compared to conventional solutions. These innovations directly support the modernization of China's power grid infrastructure while addressing pressing environmental concerns.

Engineers are developing tailored solutions for diverse transmission needs:

• Energy-saving conductors for new transmission lines with 15-20% lower resistance
• Capacity-enhanced cables enabling 50% more power flow without tower replacements
• Weather-resistant alloys engineered for ice-prone and high-wind regions
• Lightweight aluminum cables for urban power distribution and renewable energy projects

The project commenced construction in June 2025, with Phase I (180,000 tons of specialty conductors and 80,000 km of aluminum alloy cables) scheduled for December 2025 completion. Phase II will add identical capacity by October 2026, positioning Baotou as China's largest integrated aluminum cable production base.

Beyond immediate manufacturing gains, the initiative is catalyzing Baotou's industrial evolution:

• Shifting from raw material exports to value-added manufacturing
• Attracting downstream processors to create complete supply chains
• Establishing the foundation for a $15 billion aluminum industry cluster

The project represents a strategic pivot in China's industrial policy, combining environmental objectives with advanced manufacturing capabilities. As construction progresses, industry analysts are watching whether this model could redefine resource-based cities nationwide.