By Joel Mairura
Electricity generation operations have commenced on the world’s largest solar plant, with an expected output of 6.09 billion kilowatts annually.
The Chinese company, Power Construction Corp of China, has connected the solar plant to the grid in Northwestern Xinjiang. The plant is astounding in area and electrical output as the 3.5GW plant covering a 32,947-acre farm is in a desert area near the capital, Urumqi.
The company’s construction and operations were entrusted to Power Construction Corp of China. Moreover, based on its scale, it can generate 6.09 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a year. The amount is enormous enough to power the country of Papua New Guinea. Completion of the solar plant has eclipsed the two previous largest solar plants in Western China.
The significance of connecting the World’s largest solar plant to China’s power grid
Xinjiang is an ideal location for producing renewable solar and wind power owing to the enormous amounts of sun and wind in the area. The connection of the world’s largest solar plant to China’s power grid is a remarkable feat. The electrical power generated by the plant will facilitate powering the eastern seaboard, one of China’s densely populated regions.
Furthermore, it showcases China’s commitment to pave the way to clean and renewable energy sources. The country seeks to shift from its reliance on fossil fuels in its industries and factories. The project has also provided thousands of employment opportunities to its residents and will continue during its operation. These opportunities improve the living standards of Chinese residents, thus ensuring the country’s economic growth in general. The government will also benefit from the project as it will acquire revenue in electrical supply fees paid to power companies in China.
The state of affairs regarding the Solar Farm in Xinjiang
The construction of the world’s largest solar plant has received accolades from most organizations globally. China is the world leader in renewable energy generation capacity, including solar power. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its 2023 annual report, said the country’s additions of solar increased by 116% from 2022 to 2023. The agency said solar power accounted for about 75% of new renewable energy capacity that came online worldwide over the past year.
Furthermore, it noted that China commissioned as much PV capacity in 2022 as the rest of the world combined. The IEA report said, “China accounts for almost 60% of new renewable capacity expected to become operational globally by 2028.”
The completion and successful connection of the world’s largest solar plant to China’s electrical grid is one of its main aims. The country seeks to progress and achieve some of its most ambitious targets. Xinjiang province is a sparsely populated area of China that is known for its solar and wind power resources. It is also home to what China calls “megabase projects.” The region is a hub for Chinese renewable energy installations. Much of the electricity produced is sent across the country to the more populated areas in eastern China. The megabase projects, first announced in 2021, are part of China’s plan to install 455 GW of solar and wind power over the next several years.
