Last Thursday, an ultra-high-altitude wind farm was connected to the grid in Shannan Province, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, making it the country's tallest wind farm to date. The project was developed by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) and has an installed capacity of 72.6 megawatts (MW).
This wind farm, built at an altitude of between 5,000 and 5,200 meters, is considered ultra-high within the scope of wind projects, according to the CTG. The power available in the wind is directly proportional to the density of the air, and as the density decreases on the plateau, the available energy is also reduced. To face this challenge, CTG chose to use turbines with a single unit capacity of more than three MW, the largest of which has a capacity of 3.6 MW. These turbines are designed to increase the wind farm's energy output and ensure stable operation in harsh natural environments such as high altitude, ultraviolet rays and low temperatures.
The ultra-high altitude plant has the potential to generate 200 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which can meet the demand of around 140,000 homes for a year. Located in the northern foothills of the Himalayas, the plant is the first wind power project to be connected to the Xizang Autonomous Region's power grid.
Due to the relatively fragile ecological environment in the plateau area, CTG emphasized environmental protection throughout the design process. Measures have been taken to minimize the environmental impact, from site selection to construction and soil protection and restoration after completion. The company initially planned to build 22 turbines, but opted to build just 15 to use the land more intensively. In addition, the energy transmission collection line was designed to bypass pastures, ensuring better protection for this ecosystem.
The ultra-high-altitude wind farm represents a major breakthrough in China's clean, renewable energy production, reinforcing the country's commitment to combating climate change and boosting the transition to sustainable energy sources. The project is a demonstration of China's technological capabilities and dedication to exploring innovative solutions to address energy challenges in different geographic and environmental conditions.
