TURFAN, China, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On June 11th, Turfan‘s installed capacity of new energy sources reached 9.035 million kilowatts (kW), accounting for 74.2% of its total power generation capacity. The region is expected to complete the construction of a 10-million-kilowatt-level new energy base by the end of the year.
Known as China’s “Pole of Heat,” Turfan is located in the heart of Xinjiang’s nine major wind zones. Endowed with abundant wind and solar resources, it is a crucial part of the national “Three Bases, One Corridor” strategy. The technically and economically exploitable potential for new energy in Turfan exceeds 100 million kW, including 40.1 million kW for wind power and 98 million kW for photovoltaic power.
In recent years, Xinjiang has vigorously accelerated the development and utilization of new energy sources like wind and solar power, promoting the growth of the new energy industry. Since the operation of its first new energy power plant in 2007, Turfan‘s cumulative new energy power generation has surpassed 55.58 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). It is projected to add 10.96 million kW of grid-connected capacity by 2025, establishing another 10-million-kilowatt-level new energy base in Xinjiang.
To support the development of the new energy industry, since 2024, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company has adhered to the principle of “prioritizing electricity supply over development demands, not the other way around.” It has invested a total of 231 million yuan, efficiently completing 7 projects including the Xiaocaohu West Step-up and Collection Station. The company built new transmission lines totaling 134.6 kilometers, further strengthening the grid infrastructure and enhancing the capacity for new energy transmission.
To improve the quality and efficiency of project construction, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company established a “concierge-style” service list, proactively offering “one-stop” services on-site. During service visits, the company gained detailed understanding of project progress and difficulties in grid connection, provided on-site answers to grid integration questions, reminded project owners to promptly address matters like power purchase and sale contracts and grid dispatching agreements, and explained grid connection procedures in detail. This ensures projects are built quickly, accepted early, and successfully integrated into the grid.
The once Gobi desert has transformed into today’s “treasure bowl.” Turfan currently has 86 operational new energy power stations and 39 operational new energy transmission lines spanning 624.1 kilometers. Cumulative new energy power generation has reached 55.58 billion kWh. The utilization rate has steadily increased from 61.17% in 2016 to 95.27% in 2020 and has since remained consistently above 95%. This has helped Turfan transform from a geographical “lowland” into an “energy highland.”
To enhance new energy absorption capacity, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company conducts scientific analyses considering factors like system carrying capacity, economic viability, and end-user load. It rationally arranges the development layout of distributed new energy sources. Simultaneously, leveraging regional load growth as support, it boosts the local capacity to absorb new energy, ensuring new energy can be effectively generated, supplied, and utilized.
