Power Grid

The world's second-largest solar power plant has officially begun operations, marking a significant advancement in global energy sustainability. Located in China, the 3-gigawatt plant can generate enough electricity to power nearly two million homes.

This project, which was successfully connected to the grid 14 months after its completion, supports China's broader green energy transition by enhancing the reliability and stability of its power supply. Additionally, it aligns with China’s 2024 goals to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions per unit of GDP.

The Mengxi Lanhai solar plant, situated in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, represents a major step in China's efforts to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. With a total investment of 12 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), the plant is part of the country’s push to achieve carbon neutrality.

This 3-gigawatt facility, now the largest in China, plays a vital role in the West-to-East Electricity Transmission initiative, contributing an expected 5.7 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.

Covering 70 square kilometers, the Mengxi Lanhai plant houses more than 5.9 million solar panels and includes advanced infrastructure such as two 500 kV collector stations and eight 220 kV substations. It was built on land that had previously been impacted by coal mine subsidence, necessitating specialized construction techniques.

The project incorporates cutting-edge technology, including robotic pre-assembly arms, drone docking stations, and smart cleaning robots, all designed to enhance efficiency and optimize performance.

China is also home to the world’s largest solar power plant, a 3.5-gigawatt facility in Xinjiang that generates enough electricity to power a country the size of Papua New Guinea for an entire year. With solar energy installations in China growing rapidly—by 152% in 2023—renewable energy is expected to make up 20% of the country's energy mix by 2025. To support this growth, China is implementing new policies focused on battery storage, improving interconnection infrastructure, and efficiently utilizing surplus renewable energy.