China, the world’s largest investor in clean energy, is implementing a massive solar project in the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, dubbed the “Great Wall of Solar Energy”. The project, which is planned to be about 400 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, will provide clean energy to more than 300,000 people every year.
The project not only generates energy, but also solves environmental problems in the region. The panels act as a line of defense against desert sand blowing into the Yellow River, China’s second longest river, protecting the quality of the river’s water and the communities that depend on it. In addition, by reducing groundwater evaporation by 20-30%, solar panels encourage plant growth and play an important role in combating desertification.
According to the Energy Bureau in Dalad Banner, energy capacity in the region has already exceeded 3 gigawatts, with a target of 16 gigawatts of additional capacity by 2025. The energy generated will be transported to different cities in the country via ultra-high voltage lines. The shaded areas under the solar panels encourage agriculture and animal husbandry, providing both ecological and economic benefits.
The solar farm also stands out for its innovative approaches. Grazing and plant cultivation are integrated under the solar panels. In this way, economic activities in the region are strengthened and the natural ecosystem is protected. In addition, the panels used in the project are produced by LONGi Green Energy Technology, one of the most advanced production facilities in the world.
Clean Energy Associates emphasizes that such projects inspire the global clean energy economy and that other countries should take similar innovative steps. With this project, China is not only accelerating its own energy transition, but also leading sustainability efforts around the world.