China is often negatively connoted as a heavy polluter. However, is it really true? It is certain that with increasing economic growth, comes a double effect; positive and negative ones. The country is nevertheless, challenging the downfall of augmented pollution levels by investing seriously in renewable energy.
Since, 2009 much emphasis has been leveled on investing in renewable energy such as solar and wind energy. China has been making “revolutionary investments in the field”. There is no doubt that the government is aiming for a sustainable development.
Largest Solar Power Station
The world’s largest on-grid solar power station is likely going to be constructed in China. The solar power station will be providing around 1 GW, which is more than what most nuclear power stations deliver. This particular project is a venture with China Technology Development Group (CTDC) and Qinghai New Energy Group Co., Ltd. (QNE). The construction is going to take place the Qaidam Basin in northwestern China.
The first phase of the project is to build 30 MW of on-grid solar power. The long-term objective is to expand this to a total of 1 GW. The Quaidam Solar Power Station project is the first of its type in China. It will make use of thin-film solar modules with integrated crystalline silicon. Once the project is fully completed, it will be the largest on-grid solar development in the country. The project was approved for launching in 2009 and a total of $150 million have been invested by QNE and CTDC.
Qaidam Basin, is one of the best areas in the country to develop large-scale on-grid solar plants. The exposure of sunlight is soaring in the vast desert of landmass. The location had already, in 2005 been identified by the Chinese Government as one of the most suitable areas for economic and renewable energy developments.
Qinghai Province will be able to take full advantage of the omnipresence of solar energy in the region. Having one of the largest solar power plants in the region is according to Mr. Luo Yulin, Vice Governor of Qinhas Province and Mayor of Xining, an indication of our commitment towards climate change.
The Chinese Government is fully supporting the expansion of renewable energy. The scale at which most renewable projects are on is phenomenal. China can definitely not be considered as a nation ignoring the consideration of climate challenges. It is at a nascent stage of its economic evolution integrating clean technology. This is something that other countries have been leaving behind.
Source: ChinaACTDC and Green Muze
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