In order to alleviate the congestion and overload in high-voltage distribution network (HVDN), a load-transfer optimization method has been developed based on Link-path model. The topology characteristics of HVDN have been analyzed and the basic topological unit (BTU) is adopted. All the typical connection modes in 110kV substations can be easily described with BTU. Link-path model (LPM) is a modelling method used in the field of communication and routing technologies in which there are similarities between LPM and the connection relationships of HVDN. Thus, based on ideas of LPF, the 'domain', 'set of link', 'set of path' and so on are defined to depict HVDN topology. The Link-path based load-transfer optimization model is much more straightforward and easily obtained. The model only needs to search from each unit based on the network topology and form relative data sets. It avoids the high dimension problem which appears in other methods like incidence matrix and tree model. Thus this model could reduce the nonlinear degree and solving difficulty in load-transfer optimization problem. The method is suitable for system dispatching analysis and strategy-making for HVDN system. A load-transfer optimization model for HVPN has been developed and the results with one real test system proved the feasibility and validity of the proposed LPM method.INDEX TERMS High-voltage distribution network (HVDN), load-transfer, link-path model, basic topological unit (BTU), load shedding.