CHINADAILY
On December 30, 2024, Xinjiang's renewable energy installed capacity officially surpassed the 100-gigawatt milestone with the grid connection of the second phase of large-scale base projects, including the Hami Yushan Wind Farm. The total capacity reached 100.3 GW, comprising 43.64 GW of wind power and 56.66 GW of solar power, which now accounts for 55% of Xinjiang's total installed power capacity. This milestone makes renewable energy the largest power source in the region, placing Xinjiang fourth nationwide in terms of renewable energy capacity. The current capacity is also 2.8 times larger than what it was at the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
By the end of 2024, Xinjiang had added 35.57 GW of renewable energy capacity within the year, ranking first in the country. These record-setting achievements highlight Xinjiang's significant progress in scaling up clean energy production and advancing its green and low-carbon energy transition. They also underline the pivotal role played by the Xinjiang power grid in the construction of a modern, sustainable power system.
However, the rapid expansion of renewable energy and its increasing share in Xinjiang's power mix bring challenges related to grid stability, system regulation, and energy consumption. To address these challenges, the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. has implemented measures to support the seamless integration of renewable energy projects. Efforts include synchronizing the construction timelines of grid infrastructure with those of renewable energy projects to ensure simultaneous commissioning. Additionally, the adoption of the New Energy Cloud platform has streamlined processes by enabling online applications, time-bound approvals, and comprehensive tracking of grid connection requests. These initiatives have shortened integration timelines and ensured that renewable energy projects are connected to the grid promptly and at full capacity.
Supported by a strong and adaptive grid, Xinjiang has rapidly developed large-scale renewable energy bases, focusing on desert, Gobi, and arid regions. The region now hosts three 10 GW-level renewable energy bases in Hami, Changji, and Ürümqi, along with more than ten 1 GW-level bases. These developments reflect Xinjiang's leadership in clean energy innovation and its contribution to China's national goals for a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.