China is ramping up the use of robotics in its power grid, with plans to deploy thousands of AI-powered machines across its infrastructure.

According to reports, the government intends to procure around 8,500 robots this year to handle inspection and maintenance tasks, including operations in remote and hazardous locations.

The State Grid Corporation of China has allocated approximately $1 billion for the initiative, signalling a major push to integrate robotics into critical national systems.

In January 2026, Chinese researchers cut grid failure response to 0.1 seconds, enabling rapid fault isolation, restoration, and detection of micro-current faults at hundred-milliampere levels.

Power grid automation using robot

China is accelerating the deployment of AI-powered robots to manage critical power infrastructure, with major state-owned utilities rolling out large-scale procurement plans.

For this, the State Grid Corporation of China has allocated 6.8 billion yuan (about $1 billion) in 2026 to acquire embodied intelligence systems, or AI-enabled robots, according to Chinese media outlet Jiemian. The company plans to purchase around 8,500 units this year as part of its internal development strategy, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The robots will take on a wide range of roles, including inspecting remote substations, monitoring transmission networks, and performing maintenance in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments. A key component of the plan includes about 5,000 robot dogs designed for patrol and inspection tasks, particularly in mountainous terrain. In addition, humanoid and dual-arm robots will be deployed for more complex, high-risk operations, such as maintaining ultra-high-voltage power lines.

The push extends beyond a single utility. China Southern Power Grid and other firms are also investing in similar technologies, with total sector spending on embodied intelligence expected to exceed 10 billion yuan ($1.46 billion) in 2026. State Grid currently operates across 26 of mainland China’s 31 provincial-level regions, while China Southern Power Grid covers five southern regions, including Guangdong, reports SCMP.

AI grid overhaul

China is rapidly scaling up the use of robotics across its power sector, directing significant investment toward hardware procurement while reserving additional funding for research, development, and workforce training.

State Grid Corporation of China is spearheading the effort, working with leading domestic firms including Unitree Robotics, Deep Robotics, AgiBot, UBTech Robotics, and Fourier Intelligence to supply a diverse fleet of machines.

The deployment plan spans more than 600 specialized tasks, ranging from routine inspections to complex, high-risk maintenance. It includes 500 humanoid robots designed for demanding operations such as live-line work on ultra-high-voltage infrastructure, supported by around 5,000 quadruped robot dogs for patrol and inspection duties, and 3,000 dual-arm wheeled robots for coordinated maintenance. Together, these systems form an integrated robotic workforce aimed at improving efficiency and reliability across the grid, reports Robo Horizon.

Utilities are also investing in proprietary technologies, extending their capabilities beyond domestic use. China Southern Power Grid, via Guangdong Power Grid, has begun exporting its in-house solutions, including robot dogs for substation inspections in overseas markets such as Chile.

Industry projections point to rapid expansion, with embodied AI output expected to reach 2.1 million units by 2030. China already dominates global shipments, reflecting its growing leadership in both deployment scale and manufacturing capacity. The broader strategy envisions widespread robotic integration across grid operations, with increasing autonomy over the coming years, positioning the sector as a major testbed for large-scale, real-world AI adoption, reports Robo Horizon.