China takes solar power seriously. It has launched a new power plant larger in area than České Budějovice
China has commissioned a new photovoltaic power plant. It could produce a third of what the domestic Temelín nuclear power plant generates, but it covers a larger area than České Budějovice. According to the investor, it could produce electricity for up to two million households annually.
Although the European Union has been a strong advocate for the transition to renewable energy for many years, the current situation in the countries of the European Union does not reflect this. Despite the year-on-year rapid increase in the number of newly installed photovoltaic and wind power plants, the pace is certainly not comparable to China, which seems to set the direction.
This is most visible in new photovoltaic installations, which are increasing at a record pace in the country. An example is the new power plant Mengxi Lanhai in Ordos. It currently has an installed capacity of 3 GW and, due to its size and capacity, is the largest solar project in China. Globally, it ranks as the second-largest installation.
The power plant, which is estimated to be capable of an annual production of 5.7 TWh (roughly a third of the production of the domestic nuclear power plant Temelín), covers an area of 70 km2, which is more than the area of České Budějovice. The new power plant, according to the company CHN Energy, which financed it, should provide the energy needed for about two million Chinese households, further reducing the demand for fossil fuels and thereby carbon dioxide emissions.
The produced electricity will be transmitted via an ultra high-voltage (UHV) line with a voltage of 800 kV, ensuring minimal losses during transmission over long distances.
The construction of the power plant, which cost approximately 12 billion yuan (1.6 billion dollars), took only 14 months. The main investor, China Guodian, a subsidiary of CHN Energy, and the main supplier, Power China, had to tackle numerous technical challenges. The site, previously affected by land subsidence caused by coal mining, required an innovative approach. Solar panels were installed on flexible structures with telescopic poles, allowing them to adapt to terrain movement, thus ensuring optimal performance.
Innovative technologies are not limited to the construction process. The power plant is equipped with robotic systems that ensure maintenance and increase operational efficiency. Robots for panel cleaning and drones for inspection ensure that the equipment's performance remains at maximum levels. Pre-assembly processes were automated using robotic arms, which increased construction efficiency by 25%.
