The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released stunning aerial images of the Great Solar Wall, China’s largest renewable energy initiative, located in the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia. The project, a vast cluster of photovoltaic (PV) power installations, aims to achieve an impressive 100 GW of energy capacity by 2030.
In its statement, NASA described the remarkable transformation of the Kubuqi Desert, once known as a barren “sea of death,” into a hub of renewable energy. “Sandy and mostly devoid of life, the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia once had a reputation for being a ‘sea of death,’” said NASA. “More recently, its dune fields have become a sea of photovoltaic possibility, transformed by a surge of newly installed solar panels. The construction is part of China’s multiyear plan to build a solar great wall, designed to generate enough energy to power Beijing.”
The aerial images published by NASA include a snapshot of the desert before solar panels were installed in 2017, alongside recent photos showcasing the current scale of deployment. According to China Daily, the Kubuqi Desert had approximately 5.4 GW of installed solar capacity as of August 2024, with more developments underway.
This monumental project represents a significant step forward in China’s renewable energy ambitions and highlights the potential of large-scale solar initiatives in previously uninhabitable regions.
NASA’s newly released aerial images of China’s Great Solar Wall showcase the impressive scale and ambition of the nation’s largest renewable energy project, located in the Kubuqi Desert, Inner Mongolia. Among the installations already operational, two key facilities stand out:
- China Three Gorges’ 2 GW Solar Plant: Developed by the state-owned enterprise, this facility is the largest in the cluster and prominently visible in NASA’s imagery.
- Junma Solar Power Station: Built by State Power Investment Corp., this unique 300 MW installation features a horse-shaped design, which is also easily identifiable in the photos.
Scaling Up to 100 GW by 2030
The Great Solar Wall is projected to achieve a staggering capacity of 100 GW by 2030, stretching approximately 400 km across the desert with an average width of 5 km. This massive undertaking exemplifies China’s commitment to renewable energy innovation and its effort to transform arid, uninhabitable regions into sources of clean energy.
The site’s current capacity and future expansion reflect a strategic approach to renewable infrastructure, with facilities like the China Three Gorges plant and Junma Solar Power Station paving the way for further developments. As the project progresses, it is set to become a cornerstone of China’s transition to sustainable energy.
