Aerial photo shows solar panels of Qingyang 100 mega watts photovoltaic power project in Qingyang, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 10, 2021.Photo: Xinhua

China is accelerating the construction of photovoltaic power stations in deserts to support its environmental protection goals and develop renewable energy after several major renewable energy projects were revealed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).

On Saturday, China's largest single photovoltaic project in sandy areas with an installed capacity of two million kilowatts in Kubuqi, a desert region located in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, started construction, according to media reports.

Moreover, Northwest China's Qinghai Province began construction for photovoltaic bases with an installed capacity of 10.9 million kilowatts on Friday, with a total investment of more than 65 billion yuan, involving 10 new energy enterprises.

The accelerated photovoltaic projects showed China's firm determination to pursue renewable energy, as it strives to achieve its environmental protection goals across more arid parts of the country, analysts said.

The bases will effectively block the wind and prevent the movement of sand and dunes, as the photovoltaic modules can be laid in high density. Once put into operation, the bases will increase the supply of clean energy, with the efficient use of solar energy resources in the desert areas.

For instance, the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia enjoys effective sunlight of more than 3,180 hours each year on average. Chinese energy company Elion has built projects, generating power of 1.25 billion kilowatt hours.

The projects will contribute to the win-win results of desert control and economic development in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts.

Global Times