China Power Integrated Energy's 500 MW PV Power Project in Kashgar Goes Live

At 7:00 PM on May 18, 2025, exciting news came from Kashgar, Xinjiang: China Power Integrated Energy's 500 MW PV power project in the Makit County Industrial Park successfully connected to the grid. Located within the Taklamakan Desert region of Makit County, this low-carbon initiative occupies roughly 917.6281 hectares. Its total installed capacity is 500 MW, supported by a 50 MW/100 MWh energy storage system. The build also includes a newly constructed 220 kV step-up substation and a 60-kilometer transmission line, tied into the grid via a single 220 kV overhead circuit. As one of Kashgar's flagship renewable projects, it marks a major milestone. The harsh conditions of the Taklamakan Desert—where the diurnal temperature variations are extreme and the sandy soil has low, unstable bearing capacity—presented significant construction and management challenges.

Despite this, China Power Integrated Energy assembled a dedicated project team on site as soon as work began in August 2024. Since February 2025, when civil-engineering, electrical, and installation activities reached their peak, the project team has reverse-scheduled every milestone. The entire team has lived and worked on site, closely tracking progress and strictly enforcing safety and quality standards. During the final push before grid connection, responsibilities were further refined: a specialized commissioning task force was formed, and team members rotated in 24-hour shifts to address any site issues immediately. This around-the-clock support ensured a smooth commissioning process and on-time grid connection.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate approximately 925 GWh of electricity annually—an equivalent of 1,455.87 effective hours per year. This output will save about 282,400 tons of standard coal, reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 750,000 tons, SO₂ by about 148 tons, and NOx by about 165 tons each year. It will also cut significant volumes of fly ash, soot, and wastewater discharge, yielding substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits. Moving forward, China Power Integrated Energy will actively coordinate all necessary resources to complete punch-list corrections, finalize documentation, secure project acceptance, and achieve full commercial operation as soon as possible. These efforts aim to ensure the project's timely, compliant start and contribute to regional economic growth and renewable development.