Sunny outlook for Tarim solar power

As of Sept 8, the photovoltaic power project in the Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corp has generated 105.81 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity.

The Tarim Oilfield is located in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The green energy generated is equivalent to 22,000 tons of standard oil, reducing 70,500 tons of carbon emissions, and can provide electricity for approximately more than 40,000 households for a year, according to CNPC. Nearly 20 percent of the electricity generated is used for the oilfield's own consumption.

The Tarim Oilfield has accelerated the construction of new energy bases, making full use of the natural advantages of abundant solar energy resources and surplus land in southern Xinjiang. Expediting the construction of photovoltaic and other new energy projects, they try to increase the total energy supply, establish a new pattern of green, low-carbon, clean, efficient, and diverse energy supply.

In March, the Tarim Oilfield's first clean external energy supply station, the 100,000-kilowatt photovoltaic power project in Yuli county, was connected to the grid.

In May, the largest centralized photovoltaic power station in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert, the 100,000-kilowatt photovoltaic power project in Qiemo county, was officially connected to the grid.

The two projects, both in Bayingolin Mongol autonomous prefecture, have an annual electricity generation capacity of 400 million kWh, which can meet the electricity needs of nearly 500,000 residents for a whole year. The electricity generated from the two projects is equivalent to replacing 124,000 tons of standard coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 269,000 tons. The average annual revenue can reach more than 96.1 million yuan.

Xinjiang has abundant new energy resources such as wind and solar power, making it a major clean energy base promoted in the national 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). Its technical potential of solar energy resources ranks first in the country. The Tarim Oilfield is promoting the 1.1 million-kilowatt photovoltaic power project in Kashgar. Its 500,000-kilowatt photovoltaic power station in Yecheng county is expected to be grid-ready by Sept 30.