The 2 million-kilowatt Kubuqi photovoltaic (PV) desertification control project, the largest of its kind in China, started operation on Nov 29.
A bird's-eye view of the 2 million-kilowatt Kubuqi photovoltaic (PV) desertification control project in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Located in Ordos, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the project was jointly invested and built by China Three Gorges Renewables (Group) Co., Ltd. and Elion Resources Group.
It is one of the first large-scale wind and PV power bases to start construction in China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.
Covering an area of 100,000 mu (6,666.67 hectares), the project has a total installed capacity of 2 million kW and is equipped with an 800 gigawatt-hours energy storage system. It also includes desert ecological construction of the affected area.
It is expected to generate about 4.1 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually, equaling that produced by burning about 1.23 million metric tons of standard coal and a reduction of about 3.19 million tons of carbon dioxide.
A view of the 2 million-kilowatt Kubuqi photovoltaic (PV) desertification control project in Inner Mongolia [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Advanced technologies are used in planting and growing of the trees in the project.
It's worth noting that the Kubuqi desertation control project is the first of its kind in the country to adopt flexible supporting materials.
The surface of the PV panel double-glazed module is used for power generation and high-quality pasture and herbs are grown under the panel, raising power output by 5 to 10 percent.
The project has driven local economic development and employment of farmers and herdsmen.
During construction, it provided jobs for more than 1,000 people and 500 people are expected to be recruited for panel cleaning, grass and herb growing and stock breeding annually.
Upon operation, the project will effectively improve the ecological environment of the Kubuqi Desert and provide experience for promotion and application of PV desertification control technology, which is the path towards green development of the region and will contribute to realizing China's dual carbon goals of peaking carbon dioxide before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality before 2060.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
