Green energy convoy arrives in Lhasa

A convoy filled with liquefied natural gas has successfully arrived in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet autonomous region. The three day delivery carried 160 tons of green energy across more than a thousand kilometers. CCTV Reporter Tang Bo reports. Loading a greener future. This taxi driver fills his tank with natural gas in downtown Lhasa. He is one of the few drivers in the city to use energy. Ma Ming, Taxi Driver in Lhasa, said, “I prefer natural gas to petroleum gas or diesel fuel because cars can be started faster, especially in winter. Compared to petroleum and diesel fuel, it is cheaper, and most importantly, more environmental friendly.” Natural gas produces 85 percent less exhaust than petroleum and diesel, and will reduce emissions of harmful chemicals such as sulfur, lead, and benzene. In the view of maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental protection in Tibet, a deal was made between Tibet’s regional government and China’s national gas company, PetroChina in 2009. The deal was set to transmit natural gas from the city of Golmud in neighboring Qinghai province through the Qinghai-Tibet highway. “The journey kicked off with trucks like this, fully loaded with liquefied natural gas. The gas needs to be delivered to Lhasa, 1100 kilometers away. The trip is not easy because of harsh weather and road conditions, and the drivers also have to do their best to avoid altitude sickness.” CCTV reporter Tang Bo said. On Wednesday, 8 trucks containing around 160 tons of liquefied natural gas set off from Goldmud, the second biggest city in northwestern China’s Qinghai Province. The convoy went through places like Kunlun mountain pass with an altitude of 4,767 meters, and Tanggula mountain pass, 5,231 meters. The truck team also conquered the coldness as low as minus 35 degree Celsius. Ma LIangwei, Truck Driver of PetroChina, said, “The most difficult part of the convoy in such a high altitude is the cold and the lack of oxygen which can cause headaches and dizziness. It is dangerous to drive under such harsh conditions.” 3 days later, the fuel arrives at the Lhasa Natural Gas station, where it is changed back into gas form before it is usable Building up gas stations and receiving natural gas is only the first phase of the deal. There remains two more phases: to change the energy consumption structure of Lhasa which has been relying mainly on petroleum and diesel fuel, and later, build up the natural gas network throughout the whole of Tibet. A lot remains to be done, but a good beginning has been made.