China is deploying a gigantic solar field to power Beijing, a world first.
In the arid expanses of Inner Mongolia, a colossal solar panel project plans to revolutionize Beijing's energy supply.
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An ambitious project under the gray sky of Beijing
Under the often gray and polluted sky of Beijing, the idea that the city could be powered entirely by solar energy might seem far-fetched. However, photographs taken by NASA's Landsat 8 and 9 satellites reveal a very different reality: a vast expanse of solar panels is deployed across the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia. This project demonstrates China's growing commitment to renewable energies.
The construction of the largest solar field in the world
Stretching over 400 kilometers long and 5 kilometers widethe Kubuqi Desert Solar Field currently generates 5.4 gigawatts of energy. When completed in 2030, it will become the largest solar field in the world, nicknamed “the photovoltaic sea”. More than three million solar panels already sparkle on this almost barren ribbon of sand, marking a significant step towards energy independence.
Optimizing an ideal site
The sunny climate, flat terrain and proximity to industrial centers make the Kubuqi Desert a ideal location for solar energy productionaccording to NASA. The panels are installed on a strip of dunes south of the Yellow River, between Baotou and Bayannur. This strategic location facilitates the transmission of energy to large industrial centers.
Progress visible from space
A split-screen image shows the incredible evolution between 2017 and 2024, including a huge depiction of a galloping horse — a tribute to Mongolian culture and past — which holds the Guinness world record for the largest image made with solar panels. This project thus combines modernity and tradition, symbolizing China's respect for its cultural heritage while embracing innovation.
-Production et impact local
The Fine Horse solar station, the Chinese name of the project, currently generates enough electricity to power 400,000 homes. The deployment of solar panels on these dunes also helps stabilize the sand and prevent silting of neighboring fields. This integrated approach ensures not only energy production but also the protection of the local environment.
Secondary environmental benefits
In addition to producing electricity, solar panels help keep sand dunes cooler and moisterfacilitating the growth of resistant plants. This initiative could transform what Marco Polo once called the “sea of death” into a potentially more fertile area, making this hostile place a new oasis of biodiversity and life.
Towards a renewable future for Beijing
The authorities envisage that this “solar sea” could one day power all of Beijing (21.9 million inhabitants or 1/3 of France) by transporting energy from solar panels through the Gansu corridor to north-central China. This project illustrates China's ambition to turn to more sustainable energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, paving the way for an era of green prosperity for the Chinese megacity.
100 million homes per year: the United States is on the verge of unlocking unprecedented energy power with floating solar panels
This article explores the scale and implications of the Kubuqi Desert solar field project, highlighting its potential to transform not only Beijing's energy supply but also to influence global sustainable development strategies.
Source : China Daily
