The first phase of a desert-control solar project in Shihezi, Xinjiang, has achieved grid connection of 2.02 GW. Zhongxin Construction Power Group, Guohua Energy Investment under CHN Energy, and Shanghai Electric Group are the 3 investors that will be investing a total of RMB 18.9 billion ($2.64 billion) in this project with a designed capacity of 5 GW. Of the 3 GW capacity planned for Phase I, 2.02 GW has been grid-connected at present. The project combines ecological restoration with renewable energy, utilizing more than 67,000 hectares of desert land, where solar arrays serve as windbreaks and sand stabilizers, promoting vegetation growth. This integrated approach of ‘solar power + desertification control + ecological restoration’ is expected to raise the vegetation coverage in the drought-resistant plant area from less than 5% to over 40% within 5 years.
Xi’an LONGi Leye Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of LONGi, is planning to set up pilot production lines at its manufacturing base in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, through technical transformation. The project includes a total pilot capacity of 1.2 GW solar cells and 400 MW modules, with an investment of RMB 65 million ($9.07 million). Specifically, the plan covers an 800 MW high-efficiency solar cell pilot line to produce cells with a conversion efficiency of 27.3%±0.3%; a 400 MW solar cell pilot line for cells with 27.8%±0.3% efficiency; and a 400 MW solar module pilot line for cells with 24.8%±0.3% efficiency. The facility has already obtained the project filing confirmation from the Shaanxi Provincial Enterprise Investment authorities, and LONGi is set to submit its Environmental Impact Assessment report to the government soon.
Earlier this month, LONGi announced that it has initiated efforts to establish a Global BC Ecological Collaborative Innovation Center (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Energy developer China Huadian recently issued 745,341,500 new shares, raising net proceeds of approximately RMB 2.3525 billion ($328 million) after deducting issuance expenses. According to the company’s latest announcement, the raised funds will be allocated to several renewable energy projects, including a 200 MW fishery-PV hybrid project in Sihui, Guangdong Province; a 200 MW agri-PV project in Feicheng, Shandong Province; and 3 additional wind power projects. In total, these projects represent a designed renewable energy capacity of nearly 850 MW.
Late last month, Huadian announced one of China’s largest solar module tenders to date, for the period of 2025 to June 2026 (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
The Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Provincial Energy Bureau have released the Second Batch of New Energy Project Development and Construction Plan for 2025. A total of 206 projects were included, with an aggregate capacity of 14.27155 GW. Of the total, solar accounted for 154 projects (11.23 GW), while wind power comprised 52 projects (3.04155 GW). According to the document, solar projects must fully commence construction by the end of February 2026, while wind projects are required to meet approval conditions by the end of March 2026 and start full-scale construction by July 2026.