On September 8, 2026, the 2026 International (Bozhou) Traditional Chinese Medicine Expo officially kicked off in Bozhou, Anhui Province. As the first large-scale exhibition in Anhui to achieve a 100% direct supply of green power across all scenarios, this year's Expo not only showcases the vibrant vitality of the traditional Chinese medicine industry but also sets a new benchmark for green and low-carbon event management. By providing green power across full-spectrum electricity usage scenarios—including exhibition venues, hotels, pharmaceutical enterprises, and event sites—Bozhou, one of the nation's first pilot cities for carbon peaking, has once again burnished its image as a leader in green development.
Against the backdrop of the "dual carbon" goals, green exhibitions have become an inevitable trend in the industry. The "green power" adopted for this Expo refers to clean electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. This type of power boasts significant low-carbon attributes, notably zero fossil fuel consumption and zero carbon emissions. Under the electricity market trading mechanism, users purchasing green power simultaneously acquire the corresponding Green Electricity Certificates (GECs). According to current standards, one GEC represents the environmental value of 1,000 kilowatt-hours of green power. This means that the low-carbon benefits of every kilowatt-hour of green power used at the Expo can be precisely calculated and verified, providing scientific and transparent data support for carbon footprint management at large-scale events.
This green power initiative breaks away from the traditional model limited to a single main venue, deeply integrating into every aspect of the Expo. Huang Wei, Deputy Director of the Marketing Department of State Grid Bozhou Power Supply Company, detailed the scope of the initiative in an interview: "The green power supply for this Expo covers 14 key power consumption nodes, including core venues such as the Bozhou Chinese Medicinal Materials Commodity Trading Center and Bozhou Municipal Gymnasium, as well as key reception hotels, production lines of leading pharmaceutical enterprises, and venues for the opening ceremony and forums." Huang emphasized that the unprecedented breadth, length of the supply chain, and complexity of the scenarios set a new record for all previous editions of the Expo. From the core trading and exhibition halls to the hotels handling crucial reception duties, and further to the production lines of leading enterprises directly involved in TCM product manufacturing, the reach of green power has extended to every critical link in the Expo ecosystem.
To ensure a stable supply of green power throughout the Expo, State Grid Bozhou Power Supply Company launched special preparatory work several months in advance. Through market-based procurement via the Anhui Power Exchange Center, the company successfully purchased 3,340 GECs, providing a full-chain green power guarantee from the source. On the physical grid side, the company conducted multiple rounds of special inspections and hazard investigations for all involved substations and transmission lines. Meanwhile, emergency power vehicles and professional repair teams were deployed at critical nodes to implement a 24/7 on-duty system, ensuring at the highest standards that the green power is accessible and reliable, thus safeguarding the smooth running of the event.
The massive electricity demand across all scenarios has also yielded significant energy conservation and emission reduction benefits. Professional estimates indicate that the total power consumption across all relevant venues for this Expo is approximately 3.34 million kilowatt-hours. Through the comprehensive implementation of a 100% green power supply, the event is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,940 tons. Behind this figure lies the immense environmental value represented by the 3,340 GECs. This not only substantially reduces the total carbon emissions generated during the Expo but also puts the concept of green and low-carbon development into practice, offering all participants a genuine zero-carbon experience.
The successful implementation of Anhui's first large-scale exhibition with full green power coverage holds profound demonstrative significance for the industry. This breakthrough not only achieves the pioneering leap in full green power supply for large-scale exhibitions but, more importantly, explores a replicable and promotable pathway for full-scenario green power assurance. As the concept of green exhibitions gains deeper traction, future large-scale events and exhibitions in Anhui and across the country can draw on the successful experience of the Bozhou Expo to extend green power coverage from single venues to comprehensive scenarios. This will not only help elevate the green development standards of the MICE industry but also further accelerate the transformation of the local economy toward low-carbon and sustainable development, making green the most defining feature of high-quality development.