PVTIME – On 11-12 July 2024, solar power projects with a total capacity of 5.4GW were launched in the Xinjiang region of China for clean energy and sand control solutions.
On 11 July 2024, a centralised solar power plant with an installed capacity of 500MW was launched with an investment of 2.275 billion yuan, of which 75 million yuan will be for sand control. The project will be completed within 12 months.
On 12 July 2024, three photovoltaic sand control projects were launched, with a total installed capacity of 4.9GW. Part of the project, 3.5GW PV systems, with an estimated investment of 14.4 billion yuan, will be able to provide about 7,100GWh of clean electricity annully upon completion. Another 800MW solar plant, with an investment of 2.9 billion yuan, will generate 1,400GWh of clean electricity per year upon completion. The third has a capacity of 600MW and an investment of 2.275 billion yuan.
These desert solar farms are an important part of sand control in the Xinjiang region. The photovoltaic projects are expected to provide shade and reduce wind speed, helping to prevent soil erosion at the edge of the desert, particularly in sand-prone areas. The local government plans to combine photovoltaic development with desert management and water-saving agriculture by installing 100GW of solar power. This dual-purpose approach will not only generate clean energy, but also mitigate desertification.
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