At 11:25 a.m. on April 2, solar output on Inner Mongolia’s power grid broke past 20 million kilowatts (20 GW) for the first time, hitting a record-setting 20.36 GW. This marks a major milestone in China’s clean energy push.
Original By NLS
At 11:25 a.m. on April 2, solar output on Inner Mongolia’s power grid broke past 20 million kilowatts (20 GW) for the first time, hitting a record-setting 20.36 GW. This marks a major milestone in China’s clean energy push. It took 12 years for the region to reach its first 10 GW of solar power—but only two years to double that figure.
Blessed with abundant and widely distributed solar resources, Inner Mongolia has seen explosive growth in renewable energy in recent years. As solar and wind power scale up, grid operators are working to better absorb midday surplus generation and boost overall system flexibility.
To make this possible, the region is rolling out a coordinated strategy across generation, transmission, consumption, and storage:
More Flexible Power Generation: Traditional coal-fired plants are being upgraded to operate more flexibly. Maintenance and dispatch are now managed in a way that helps balance the grid more efficiently.
Stronger Grid Infrastructure: The grid is being expanded and upgraded, especially in areas where renewable generation is concentrated. New transmission lines are coming online, and energy producers are encouraged to join China’s interprovincial electricity markets to send clean power across regions.
Boosting Local Demand: Efforts to attract energy-hungry industries are paying off. More companies are investing in Inner Mongolia, raising local power consumption and creating more room for renewables on the grid.
Smarter Energy Storage: Pumped hydro and new types of battery storage are being used to soak up excess solar power. These “super batteries” are matched with practical, real-world uses to help keep the grid running clean and smooth.