Desert-based renewable energy transmission base in Xinjiang goes into operation

China's first large-scale renewable energy transmission base in the Gobi Desert and other arid regions has officially begun operation, with the first two coal-fired power units, each with a capacity of 1 million kilowatts, having completed a 168-hour full-capacity trial run on the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Jointly developed by China Huadian Corp Ltd and China Resources Group, the project supports electricity transmission from energy-rich Xinjiang to other parts of the country, including energy-hungry Chongqing.

Located in Hami, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the project integrates wind, solar, thermal and storage systems and has a total installed capacity of 14.2 million kilowatts, with over 70 percent coming from renewable energy sources.

According to the plan, all units except solar and thermal power facilities will be put into operation by December 2025, which will deliver 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to Chongqing via the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission line.

The project aligns with China's strategy to accelerate the construction of large-scale wind power and photovoltaic bases in the Gobi Desert and other arid regions, as part of efforts to increase the supply capacity of new energy, restore the ecological environment and stimulate economic growth. By 2030, the total installed capacity of such bases is expected to reach 455 million kilowatts.