Home / Science / World's Highest Solar-Thermal Power Plant Achieves Grid Connection
World's Highest Solar-Thermal Power Plant Achieves Grid Connection
6 Nov
Summary
- First unit of a 50-MW solar-thermal plant at 4,300m altitude connected to grid.
- Project integrates 100-MW PV and 50-MW solar-thermal capacity for energy storage.
- Operational plant to generate 270 million kWh annually, cutting CO2 by 168,200 tons.
A landmark solar-thermal power station in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, has achieved a significant milestone with its first 25-megawatt generating unit connected to the grid on Friday. This facility, situated at an average altitude of 4,300 meters in Gar county, now holds the title of the world's highest-altitude grid-connected solar-thermal power station.
The project is a crucial component of China General Nuclear Power Group's zero-carbon demonstration initiative. It features an integrated design combining a 100-MW photovoltaic (PV) facility with a 50-MW solar-thermal plant, totaling an installed capacity of 150 MW.
During daylight hours, the PV facility captures solar energy to heat molten salt, effectively storing thermal energy. This stored heat is later used to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity, ensuring power supply even during nighttime or periods of low sunlight.
The solar-thermal component includes two 25-MW steam turbine-generator units. The initial unit began grid connection on Friday, with the second unit slated for connection later this year. The construction phase provided employment for over 500 local residents.
Upon full operation, the integrated project is projected to generate around 270 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This substantial output is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 168,200 metric tons each year, bolstering energy security and promoting low-carbon development in Ngari.
