In Datong, a city in north China’s Shanxi Province, a remarkable transformation is taking place. Once scarred by the deep wounds of coal mining, the land now glistens with a sea of solar panels stretching as far as the eye can see.
This vast photovoltaic array, covering nearly 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares), has generated over 12 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy since 2016. “The photovoltaic base epitomizes our country’s energy transition,” said Yin Xulong, chairman of Yingli Solar Co., Ltd. “Over eight years of operation, we’ve validated the reliability of photovoltaic products.”
The shift is not just local but part of a national movement that is influencing the global energy landscape. At the recent Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum, Francesco La Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, highlighted China’s significant contributions. In 2023 alone, China accounted for 63 percent of the world’s new renewable energy installed capacity.
By the end of July this year, China’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 1.68 billion kilowatts, surpassing 54 percent of the country’s total installed power capacity. Shanxi Province stands at the forefront, with new and clean energy making up 47.2 percent of its installed capacity and generating 28.2 percent of its electricity in the first half of 2024, up from 33.9 percent and 18.1 percent respectively in 2019.
Shanxi’s unique advantages extend beyond solar power. The province is leveraging coke oven gas, a byproduct of coke production rich in hydrogen, as a cost-effective source for hydrogen energy. Steel and coke companies like Jinnan Steel Group, Meijin Energy, and Pengfei Group are pioneering in the hydrogen energy sector.
By the end of last year, Shanxi’s capacity for producing high-purity hydrogen reached 31,000 tonnes annually, and the number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in operation rose to 885. International attention is growing. In July, delegations from two coal-producing provinces in Indonesia visited Shanxi and were impressed by China’s concrete efforts to transform its traditional energy sector.
“Shanxi’s existing industries are being well-used as a stepping stone for a green transformation,” said Putra Adhiguna, managing director of Energy Shift Institute. “China sees this shift not only as a challenge but also as a significant opportunity.”
The China (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo showcased Shanxi’s innovative strides, featuring intelligent mining technologies and space capsule-inspired ground control platforms. In March, an intelligent platform was launched to store vast amounts of data from over 400 coal mines, utilizing large model training to lower technological barriers and accelerate innovation.
These advancements have tangible impacts. Since 2021, Shanxi’s energy consumption per unit of GDP has decreased cumulatively by 10.9 percent due to the rapid development of intelligent mining technology.
“China’s cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy now accounts for about 40 percent of the global total,” noted Lu Junling, chief economist at the National Energy Administration. “Our exports of wind and solar products have contributed to a reduction of 810 million tonnes in carbon emissions for other countries.”
Lu emphasized the importance of international cooperation in energy sectors such as wind, solar, hydrogen, storage, and smart energy technologies. “We should support developing countries in their green and low-carbon energy development and actively explore new opportunities for diversified energy partnerships,” he added.
Shanxi’s journey from coal dependency to a leader in renewable energy not only transforms its own landscape but also offers inspiration for global energy transitions, demonstrating how traditional industries can pivot towards a sustainable future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
