On April 1, China Energy Group announced the launch of the first unit of the Maerdang hydropower plant in Qinghai province, northwest China. This groundbreaking facility is the highest hydropower plant in the country and boasts the largest installed capacity in the Yellow River basin. The initial unit has a capacity of 550,000 kW and is expected to generate 13.2 million kWh of clean electricity daily, providing power to over one million households.
Once fully operational, the Maerdang hydropower plant will have a total installed capacity of 2.32 million kW and will produce more than 7.3 billion kWh of electricity annually. This will greatly reduce the consumption of standard coal and carbon dioxide emissions significantly. This project represents China Energy’s first integrated clean energy facility, combining hydropower, solar power, and energy storage to benefit millions of families in eastern China that suffer from electricity shortages.
In addition to this monumental achievement, an ultra-high voltage transformer station was commissioned last September in Qinghai province to increase the transmission network’s voltage capabilities. The smart substation employs a drone system to intercept unidentified drones and can transmit about 15 billion kWh of clean electricity per year. This project promotes water resource development and electricity production in upper reaches of Yellow River basin, while also reducing carbon emissions.
Overall, the Maerdang hydropower plant and transformer station represent significant advancements in clean energy production and transmission in China, positively impacting millions of households while lowering carbon emissions.
