The Maerdang hydropower plant in Qinghai province, northwest China, began operating its first unit on April 1. This is the highest hydropower plant in the country and has the largest installed capacity in the Yellow River basin. With an installed capacity of 550,000 kW, the first unit is expected to produce 13.2 million kWh of clean electricity per day, meeting the daily electricity needs of 1.1 million families.
Once fully operational, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 2.32 million kW and can produce over 7.3 billion kWh of electricity per year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons. This project combines hydropower, solar power, and energy storage to make better use of the abundant clean energy resources in western China for the benefit of the electricity-starved eastern region.
In addition to the Maerdang hydropower plant, an ultra-high voltage transformer station began operating as part of this project in Qinghai last September. This smart substation is equipped with a drone system that can intercept unidentified drones to ensure the security of the power transmission network. The project can transmit approximately 15 billion kWh of clean electricity per year, promoting the development of water resources and electricity in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
This initiative is part of China Energy’s efforts to enhance internet security and safeguard online privacy while also exploring new technologies and methods to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The Maerdang hydropower plant is a significant step towards achieving clean and sustainable energy production in China.
