China to build 1GW solar power plant

Plans have been unveiled for a giant 1GW solar power station in Qaidam Basin desert region of north western China.

China Technology Development Group and Qinghai New Energy Group have signed an agreement with the local government of the Qinghai Haixi region to build the solar power station, which will have an initial power generating capacity of 30MW with a long-term objective to take it up to 1GW. Construction will begin this year with initial investment of $150m.

The Qaidam Basin was established as a special Economic Experimental Zone by the Chinese government in 2005 to develop renewable energy projects and the Qaidam plant will be the largest on-grid solar power station in China when fully complete. It is also the first in China to integrate crystalline silicon and thin film solar modules.

Luo Yulin, Vice Governor of Qinhas Province and Mayor of Xining, said:

“The ambitious plan to build such as large scale solar power plant is a significant step for Qinghai Province to develop and deploy solar energy by taking full advantage of our abundance in solar and desert resources of Qaidam Basin.”

Full press release here.