The southern part of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region witnessed a significant milestone on Saturday as its first wind power project connected to the grid at full capacity. This achievement marks a breakthrough in harnessing wind energy in China’s high-altitude mountainous regions above 3,000 meters.
Situated in Wuqia County of the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, part of the Pamir Plateau, the wind farm stands as the country’s westernmost. The facility comprises 38 turbines installed at altitudes ranging from 2,800 to 3,300 meters, boasting a total capacity of 200,000 kilowatts.
“The project can produce about 540 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year—enough to power 300,000 households for a year,” said Zhang Shigang, chairman of the Xinjiang branch of Longyuan Power under CHN Energy, the project’s operator. “This output will save around 164,800 tons of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 450,000 tons compared to traditional coal-fired power plants.”
The successful operation of the wind farm not only represents a significant advancement in renewable energy development in high-altitude regions but also contributes to China’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources.
Experts highlight that the challenging terrain and harsh climatic conditions of the Pamir Plateau presented numerous obstacles during the construction and installation phases. Overcoming these challenges demonstrates China’s growing expertise and commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure in remote and difficult environments.
The project is expected to stimulate economic growth in the region by creating jobs and encouraging further investments in renewable energy projects. It also sets a precedent for future wind energy developments in similar high-altitude areas across Asia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
