Southern Xinjiang’s first wind farm begins operation
Southern Xinjiang’s first wind farm, at an average altitude of 3100 m in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, has recently begun operation.
Image for illustration purposes.
China, Xinjiang: Southern Xinjiang’s first wind farm, at an average altitude of 3100 m in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, has recently begun operation. Located in Wuqia County on the Pamir Plateau, it is the westernmost wind farm in China, representing a major advancement for the country in high-altitude wind energy technology.
The first 20 turbines are expected to generate around 270000 MWh of electricity annually, delivering clean and providing valuable experience for building high-altitude, low-wind-speed wind farms. Once fully operational with its planned 38 turbines, it will have a total capacity of 200 MW.
“The wind power project is the first of its kind in southern Xinjiang. Its completion and operation mark an end to the region’s history without wind-generated electricity. The project will complement the local power supply provided by hydropower and photovoltaic power stations in the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. Its four-hour energy storage system will participate in the peak-shaving of the power grid, greatly enhancing the safe and stable operation capability of the local power network,” said Zhang Shigang, chairman of the Xinjiang branch of Longyuan Power under CHN Energy, the project’s operator.
The project is expected to become fully operational by year-end, with a yearly generation of about 540000 MWh, enough to supply about 300000 households and further enhance the local energy mix.
Source: CGTN