Green energy progress in Xinjiang's Aksu area

In Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region's Aksu prefecture, a significant shift towards green energy is unfolding at a 250,000-kilowatt solar park built by the Power Construction Corporation of China.

According to the company, the construction progress has been steady, with all foundations and over 320,000 photovoltaic panels installed, it is now a 59 percent completion rate.

The groundwork for a 220-kilovolt substation has now been finished, which is scheduled for grid connection and power generation in the next year.

The power grid in Xinjiang's Aksu area has been rapidly growing. By July this year, the total installed generation capacity reached 8,788 megawatts, with solar installations making up 55.2 percent at 4,852 megawatts, signaling a move towards cleaner energy sources.

In the heart of the Takla Makan Desert, efforts to combat desertification are underway. Workers install solar panels and plant grass under the solar panels to stabilize the once-shifting sands.

Wang Tao, the safety supervisor for the solar project, highlighted its impact.

"Covering around 7,400 acres, the project generates 423 million kilowatt-hours annually, meeting the needs of nearly 430,000 residents," he said. "By using innovative sand-fixing methods under the panels and planting forests, we are making our contribution to protect the environment."

To speed up the new energy projects, an investment of 200 million yuan has been made since 2023. Initiatives including solar substation and 220-kilovolt power line construction show a commitment to integrating solar energy into Aksu's low-carbon transition.