High-altitude energy gets a boost from Southern Xinjiang's first wind farm
Southern Xinjiang's inaugural wind farm enhances energy generation at high altitudes.
TroibNews 
The inaugural wind power initiative in Southern Xinjiang was launched on Saturday, located in the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture at an impressive altitude of 3,100 meters.
This wind farm, positioned in Wuqia County on the Pamir Plateau, is the most western facility of its type in China. It marks a significant progress in the arena of high-altitude wind energy technology for the country.
The initial installation of 20 turbines at the facility will produce approximately 270 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. This output will contribute clean energy to the area while accruing insights on the construction of wind farms in high-altitude areas with low wind speeds. When the site is fully equipped with all 38 turbines, it will achieve a maximum capacity of 200,000 kilowatts.
"The wind power project is the first of its kind in southern Xinjiang. Its completion and operation mark an end to the region's history without wind-generated electricity. The project will complement the local power supply provided by hydropower and photovoltaic power stations in the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. Its four-hour energy storage system will participate in the peak-shaving of the power grid, greatly enhancing the safe and stable operation capability of the local power network," explained Zhang Shigang, chairman of the Xinjiang branch of Longyuan Power under CHN Energy, the entity managing the project.
The endeavor is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, with a projected annual generation capacity of about 540 million kWh. This level of production is anticipated to suffice the electricity demands of nearly 300,000 households, further diversifying the region's energy sources.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
This wind farm, positioned in Wuqia County on the Pamir Plateau, is the most western facility of its type in China. It marks a significant progress in the arena of high-altitude wind energy technology for the country.
The initial installation of 20 turbines at the facility will produce approximately 270 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. This output will contribute clean energy to the area while accruing insights on the construction of wind farms in high-altitude areas with low wind speeds. When the site is fully equipped with all 38 turbines, it will achieve a maximum capacity of 200,000 kilowatts.
"The wind power project is the first of its kind in southern Xinjiang. Its completion and operation mark an end to the region's history without wind-generated electricity. The project will complement the local power supply provided by hydropower and photovoltaic power stations in the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. Its four-hour energy storage system will participate in the peak-shaving of the power grid, greatly enhancing the safe and stable operation capability of the local power network," explained Zhang Shigang, chairman of the Xinjiang branch of Longyuan Power under CHN Energy, the entity managing the project.
The endeavor is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, with a projected annual generation capacity of about 540 million kWh. This level of production is anticipated to suffice the electricity demands of nearly 300,000 households, further diversifying the region's energy sources.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
