Mima Guoji, deputy to the National People's Congress and deputy head of the power distribution maintenance team at the State Grid Shigatse Power Supply Company works in Shigatse to guarantee the power supply during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: China Plus)

"I will continue to turn on the lights for every household on the plateau with sincerity and dedication," said Mima Guoji, deputy to the National People's Congress and deputy head of the power distribution maintenance team at the State Grid Shigatse Power Supply Company.

Migmar recollected and shared with China Plus Tibet's story of development and the changes seen in the region in recent years as people there continue to lift themselves out of poverty with the help of electricity.

"I remember when I was a kid, people in the village ran to the river to fetch water for laundry. They used cow dung and firewood for both cooking and heating. Butter lamps were used for lighting at night. Even in the county, electricity was not guaranteed. This made me particularly uncomfortable, because I love the sun very much. The fixed star gives me light and warmth, just like electricity. When there is electricity, I feel that there is hope and warmth in life.

"Now these things have become history. Our lives in Tibet are getting better and better. In 2019, we had about 266,000 kilowatts of new electricity installed in Tibet, generating 23.7% more power compared with the previous year - pushing electricity out of the plateau by more than 90%.

"From the lack of electricity to the availability of it, from the long-term shortage to the delivery of electricity to networks outside Tibet, I have seen the development of the power industry.

"In 1996, I entered the State Grid Shigatse Power Supply Company with eagerness and dreams to better people's lives. Over the years, I have been engaged in many tasks related to power transmission and transformation operations.

"Whenever I get a task of maintaining electricity, I always try my best and work hard at it. I will always strive for my ideals.

"What delights me the most is the start of a 7.4-billion-yuan investment interconnection project connecting the power nets of Ngari to Tibet's and then to central China's. The project started in my hometown of Shigatse. My colleagues and I are looking forward to finally ending this history of an isolated power network in Ngari.

"The development of the power industry has everything to do with the people getting richer. As a power person, I will continue to use my sincerity and dedication to light up the lights on the snowy plateau."