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World's Highest Solar Plant Nears Completion
27 May
Summary
- Nearly 16,000 mirrors installed for world's highest solar thermal plant.
- Project uses molten-salt tech to provide power after sunset.
- Over 2 billion yuan invested, boosting local incomes significantly.
Construction on the world's highest-altitude tower-type solar thermal plant in Xizang's Amdo county is nearing its October operational launch. Nearly 16,000 heliostats, mirrors that concentrate solar energy, have been installed for this 100-megawatt project, Xizang's first of its kind.
The plant employs molten-salt thermal technology, heating salt to 560 C. This allows for energy storage and electricity generation even after dark, a vital feature for the northern Xizang grid's stability. The project is expected to produce 255 million kWh annually.
Despite challenges like extreme cold and strong winds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the development team implemented optimized construction methods and intelligent control systems. The initiative, with an investment over 2 billion yuan, also projects substantial economic benefits, including an estimated 118 million yuan increase in income for local farmers and herders.
Xizang's clean energy sector is booming, with renewables comprising over 96 percent of its installed power capacity. The region aims to exceed 33 million kilowatts of power capacity by the end of 2025, expanding electricity transmission to numerous provinces.
