China's biggest single solar power station in coal mining area joins grid

An aerial view of the huge Mengxi Lanhai Solar Power Station in Ordos city. [Photo/WeChat Account of Otog Front Banner]

The Mengxi Lanhai Solar Power Station – the biggest single-unit solar park in a coal mining subsidence area in China – was officially connected to the grid on Nov 5.

Coal mining subsidence areas are not uncommon in China, where extensive coal extraction has been conducted over the decades to help fuel local industrial and economic growth. They are regions where the ground has depressed due to the extraction of coal from underground mines.

The new solar station – located in Otog Front Banner, in Ordos city, in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – is a key support project for the 800 kilovolt ultra-high voltage DC transmission project from Shanghaimiao town in Ordos to Linyi city, in East China's Shandong province.

A flock of sheep grazes under the solar panels at the Mengxi Lanhai Solar Power Station. [Photo/WeChat Account of Otog Front Banner]

With an installed capacity of 3 million kilowatts, the solar power station comprises over 5.9 million photovoltaic modules.

It is expected to generate 5.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The output is designed to meet the annual electricity needs of 2 million households, reduce standard coal consumption by 1.71 million metric tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 4.7 million tons each year.

The environmental impact is believed to be equivalent to planting 62,700 hectares of trees – highlighting significant social, environmental and economic benefits.