Giant Solar Power Hub Goes Live: China's 3GW Ningxia PV Project Lights Up Green Energy Ambition

Giant Solar Power Hub Goes Live: China's 3GW Ningxia PV Project Lights Up Green Energy Ambition

On October 25, 2025, a milestone was achieved in global renewable energy as the first booster station of the 3GW (3,000MW) Ningxia Power Investment Yongli (Zhongwei) Solar Project officially connected to the grid. Nestled in the arid landscape of Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, this mega-project is not just a landmark for China’s clean energy transition but a shining example of how large-scale solar power can transform regions and combat climate change.

A Project of Superlatives: Scale and Investment

Spanning approximately 7,867 hectares (118,000 mu) in Changle Town, Shapotou District, the project represents a total investment of around 10.3 billion RMB (about 1.45 billion USD). Developed by Ningxia Power Investment Yongli (Zhongwei) New Energy Co., Ltd., it stands as one of China’s largest single solar installations and a key part of the country’s "desert, Gobi, and desertified land" renewable energy base initiative . Once fully operational, the project will generate an impressive 5.78 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually—enough to power over 4 million households or offset 4.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, equivalent to planting 130 million trees.

Cutting-Edge Technology: Storage Integration and Smart Design

What sets this project apart is its seamless integration of solar power with advanced energy storage solutions. It features a 300MW/600MWh energy storage system designed to ensure stable power supply: the storage capacity can be expanded to meet 200MWh DC-side requirements by the third year, with a minimum continuous charging time of 2 hours from the first year . Equipped with passive balancing battery management systems (BMS) and three independent energy management systems (EMS), the storage facility enables efficient coordination with the grid, addressing the intermittent nature of solar energy.

The project’s infrastructure is equally impressive. It includes three 330kV booster stations, each serving 1GW of solar capacity, connected to the 750kV Gantang Substation via 130 kilometers of transmission lines—90% of which use double-circuit towers for space efficiency . The entire system is built to national excellence standards, with a focus on technological innovation: the construction team is tasked with producing at least four technical achievements, including core journal papers and utility patents .

Boosting Regional Development: From Desert to Energy Hub

Zhongwei City, where the project is located, has emerged as a rising star in China’s new energy sector. With 122 existing renewable energy projects and a total installed capacity of 11.52GW (7.65GW from solar alone), the city is on track to exceed 13.5GW of renewable capacity and 20 billion RMB in industry output . The 3GW PV project further strengthens this position, creating jobs during construction and operation while driving the development of a full industrial chain covering power generation, storage, transmission, and utilization.

Beyond electricity generation, the project adheres to strict environmental standards. It implements soil and water conservation measures, land reclamation plans, and ecological protection initiatives to minimize impact on the desert ecosystem . This aligns with China’s broader goal of achieving carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, while showcasing how renewable energy can turn marginal lands into valuable assets.

A Global Model for Large-Scale Solar Development

As the world races to transition to clean energy, the Ningxia 3GW PV project offers valuable lessons. Its successful combination of large-scale solar deployment, energy storage integration, and regional industrial development demonstrates a replicable model for countries with abundant arid land resources. The project also highlights international collaboration potential: it was built by a consortium of leading engineering firms, including PowerChina Beijing Engineering Corporation and LONGi Clean Energy, with technologies that meet global standards .

In an era where climate action is more urgent than ever, this giant solar hub in Ningxia is more than just a power plant—it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when ambition, technology, and sustainability converge. As it starts delivering clean electricity to millions, it paves the way for a greener future, not just in China but around the world.