Generation Z, or Gen Z, refer to the generation of people who have grown up alongside the development of the Internet and digital technology. Today, young people of this generation are holding posts in all walks of life. They are playing significant roles in different sectors, and they are showing young and beautiful vibes in the digital era, which highlights vigorous advancement in technology and the digital economy. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, China's Gen Z women are writing wonderful chapters, by making contributions to the progress of their country. Women of China presents the stories of five Chinese Gen Z women.
In this article, we share the story of Gao Ke, deputy head of substation operation and maintenance station of Xinxiang Power Supply Company, under the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company.
"A substation is like the heart of the power grid. Our task is to protect the safe operation of equipment, and to ensure this 'heart' provides a stable and continuous supply of power," says Gao Ke, deputy head of substation operation and maintenance station of Xinxiang Power Supply Company, under the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company.
Gao, who was born in 1996, began working at Xinxiang Power Supply Company in Xinxiang, a city in central China's Henan Province, in 2017. To quickly improve her substation operation and maintenance skills, she immersed herself in the archives, where she studied the drawings and manuals stored in hundreds of file boxes. During on-site, operation-related tasks, she closely followed senior technicians, and she asked them questions to make sure she understood even the most minute detail of the job.
Gao has kept more than 40 notebooks of on-the-job notes, totaling nearly 300,000 words. "I record all of the problem-solving processes in detail. The notes are both technical accumulation and testimony to my growth," she says. It is her daily persistence that has allowed her to quickly evolve from a new hand into a technical expert.
With outstanding professional skills, Gao has achieved excellent results during various skills competitions, and she has won several awards, including New Era Youth Pioneer, Henan Provincial May Day Labor Medal, and Henan Youth May Fourth Medal.
Behind each honor lies Gao's strong sense of responsibility and mission. She constantly pursues perfection and excellence, and she consistently demonstrates craftsmanship in every detail. She has completed 35,270 switching operations with "zero errors," and she has successfully conducted more than 300 major power supply assurance tasks.
During the summer of 2021, when Henan was hit by catastrophic floods, Xinxiang's power grid faced severe challenges. Gao remained at the station for 10 consecutive days and nights, and she helped protect grid security for two districts and three counties in Xinxiang. Her efforts helped and ensured a reliable power supply for local people.
In 2023, Gao was elected a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), becoming the youngest deputy, and the only deputy born post-1995, in Henan's delegation.
During this year's NPC session, she put forward suggestions that focused on promoting the high-quality development of a new-type power system, empowering the power grid with science and technology, and ensuring a safe and reliable power supply.
"The Report on the Work of the Government, delivered at the fourth session of the 14th NPC, mentioned 'We will build a new electric power system, accelerate the construction of smart grids, develop new types of energy storage, and promote more extensive use of green electricity.' This has pointed out the direction for our work," Gao says.
"The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is a critical stage for building a new energy system. I will continue to conduct in-depth research on topics such as energy security and supply assurance, clean and low-carbon transformation, and I will fulfill my duties with high-quality suggestions," she adds.
"Turning innovation plans into on-site applications and translating achievements into tangible results" was the clear goal Gao set when Gao Ke Model Worker Innovation Studio was established in June 2024.
The studio brings together model workers, technical experts and key professionals from various fields. Relying on cross-disciplinary teams, the studio focuses on the field of intelligent power grid operation and maintenance, exerting precise efforts to overcome key technical challenges.
Gao says several research and innovation projects have yielded results, and many of those results are planned to be included in pilot applications this year. These efforts will help power-grid enterprises enhance the safety and stability of equipment operations, and contribute to the accelerated construction of a new-type power system.
In Gao's view, innovation is not only about technological advancement, but also about talent cultivation. The studio has established a mentorship mechanism, and it has formed an advisory group, composed of model workers and experts, who guide young employees in tackling technical challenges.
The studio encourages young, capable employees to bravely take on responsibilities and strive to be project leaders. At the same time, it has built a regular learning and exchange platform, and it has organized monthly technical seminars and experience-sharing sessions to foster a healthy atmosphere of competition, learning and mutual progress.
The studio also launched the key, small equipment expert cultivation program. Gao believes when it comes to key, small-power equipment, such as bushings and cabinets, young workers should be guided to conduct long-term and in-depth research. Through technical accumulation and practical training, they can grow into specialists in these niche areas, and they can ensure rapid response and efficient handling of equipment anomalies.
In March, Gao was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder. "This is both an honor and an encouragement. I am just one of the countless ordinary women workers on the front lines of power supply. I hope to do my best and shine with my own light," she says.
Even though she is now standing at the new starting point, her original aspiration remains unchanged. "Working hard is the brightest color of youth. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, I will continue to focus on my duties, hone even stronger skills, and play a leading role as a model, so I will inspire more women to move forward, together, with courage and responsibility," Gao says.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly May 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
