First Million-Kw Clean Energy Base in North Xinjiang Breaks Ground

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on April 19 launched a new branch in Burqin County, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, kicking off construction of the Burqin multi-energy complement base project.

It is expected to be a demonstrative practice of central state-owned enterprises' support to the region and a reflection of their efforts in serving regional green and low-carbon transformation.

It will be built on the base of the Burqin pumped-storage power generation project, which is CNNC's first pumped-storage power plant-centered base integrating hydro, wind and solar power generation and storage. It is a key part of the medium- and long-term pumped-storage plan during the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

With a designed total installed capacity of 7 million kilowatts, the base will include installed solar and wind power capacity of 2 million kW and 3.6 million kW respectively. Construction of the first phase of 150,000 kW of wind power equipment has already started.

An aerial view of the Altash Water Conservancy Project in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The new branch is affiliated to CNNC's subsidiary Xinhua Hydropower Company Limited. The latter has been focusing on developing clean energy in Xinjiang for 20 years and has participated in development and restoration of several river basins. It played a key role in construction of a group of large-scale water conservancy facilities and six hydro-power, wind and solar power plants.

A view of the Chonghur hydropower plant in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

A wind farm built by CNNC's Xinhua Hydropower Company Limited in Burqin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)