China's largest photovoltaic zero-wastewater discharge project launched in Ordos

The industrial wastewater treatment plant and water resource recycling project in the Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone is put into operation. [Photo/Nuan News]

The Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone in Ordos city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, saw the inauguration of its industrial wastewater treatment plant and water resource recycling project on Oct 30. This facility is now the largest photovoltaic zero-wastewater discharge project in China.

With a total investment of 2.22 billion yuan ($311.69 million), the project was constructed by Ordos Shengyuan Water Group.

The facility can treat up to 100,000 metric tons of industrial wastewater daily. It utilizes source control, quality-based treatment and reuse, and resource recycling to ensure that the treated water meets the requirements of water-using enterprises.

The remaining brine is processed through evaporation and crystallization technologies to produce industrial salts like sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. This process achieves complete zero wastewater discharge, a first in China.

A view of the water facility in the Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone. [Photo/Nuan News]

This project sets new benchmarks in the photovoltaic wastewater treatment sector in terms of investment scale, reuse standards, and salt separation.

It can generate approximately 6 million kWh of green, clean energy annually. This is equivalent to saving 1,968 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5,983 tons each year, establishing a new industry standard.

Xue Zhenyu, deputy director of the Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone Administrative Committee, commented, "This project is crucial for the stable operation of the local zero-carbon industrial park. It also significantly promotes ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia."

Inside view of the water facility in the Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone. [Photo/Nuan News]