China's installed power generation capacity from new energy sources is growing rapidly, with the share of electricity generated reaching an all-time high.
From January to May, key national enterprises allocated over 70 percent of their total power investments to renewable energy generation.
In Guazhou County, northwest China's Gansu Province, the main project of the world's first 'dual-tower solo generator' solar thermal energy storage power station has recently entered the commissioning phase. This power station uses molten salt to store excess solar energy, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted power supply around the clock.
When operational by the end of the year, the station will complement adjacent photovoltaic and wind power facilities. Together, they will form a 700,000-kilowatt multi-energy complementary clean energy hub that is expected to generate an annual electricity output of 1.8 billion kWh.
Additionally, a wind farm developed by China Datang Corporation Ltd. is under construction in Basu County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Located at an average altitude of 5,050 meters, the facility will feature 20 wind turbines upon completion and is expected to generate an annual electricity output of 223 million kWh for the region.
"From January to May, the installed capacity of new energy accounted for 53.4 percent of China's total installed power generation capacity, up by 4.7 percentage points compared to the same period last year. This indicates continued improvements in the power supply structure in China," said Yang Kun, executive vice president of China Electricity Council.
As the scale of renewable energy use expands, innovative technologies and models are continually emerging, driving the nation's advancement of modern electrical systems.
The first large-scale wind power and photovoltaic (PV) base project in the Yangtze River Delta region organically integrates PV, wind power, and energy storage. The base can boost power generation during high demand and store extra power when demand is low.
Moreover, China Southern Power Grid, the country's primary power grid operator, is employing AI to forecast the power needs of cities and provinces for the next 10 days. By analyzing data with over 30 AI algorithms, this approach ensures precise power dispatching.
Between January and May, 80 percent of China's new power generation capacity came from renewable sources. Additionally, the share of power generated by renewables has increased from 32 percent at the end of 2023 to 34.2 percent currently.
China's renewable energy share in power generation reaches new high
The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission returned safely to Earth on Friday after completing their planned tasks aboard the Tiangong space station.
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship, carrying Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 20:11 Beijing Time (1211 GMT), according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The returned astronauts were reported to be in good physical condition after landing, according to staff on site.
Zhang Lu was the first to exit the return capsule after it touched down on Earth.
"I'm thrilled to once again return to the embrace of our motherland. The Shenzhou-21 crew's seven-month stay in orbit would not have been possible without the care of our families and comrades, the support of leaders at all levels and all colleagues involved in the project, and above all, the backing of our country and our people. One sentence sums up my thoughts on my second space mission: 'It takes a whole team's devotion to make one person's voyage into the sea of stars,' " Zhang said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) shortly after he was carried out of the return capsule.
"I also have a gift to share with everyone. On the day of the Shenzhou-21 launch, the ground support team gave us an apple, wishing us a safe and smooth mission. Our safe return is their greatest wish. Tomorrow is May 30, the National Science and Technology Workers' Day. So when we left the space station, we specifically brought back an apple. We want to give it to all science and technology workers, and say 'thank you for your hard work'. At the same time, I wish our space industry continued prosperity, and every mission safe and smooth," he said.
"Returning to Earth and to the embrace of our motherland, I feel extremely secure and proud. Being entrusted with such a significant responsibility in my first space mission is a great honor. It is the trust of my country, the guidance of my predecessors, and the teamwork of the entire crew that enabled me to successfully complete the mission. This mission has taught me that the most beautiful posture of youth is to march out for the country. I will turn this space experience into the driving force for my continued progress, and continue to fight and strive for the manned space program," said crew member Wu Fei.
"From the ground laboratory to China's space station, it is our great motherland that has enabled me to achieve a perfect integration of my scientific ideals and spaceflight dreams. With the support of the entire project team, the assistance of researchers and scientists, and the care of so many people, our crew has worked as one and successfully completed all assigned scientific projects, including the first successful in-orbit breeding of small mammals, the growing of a thriving space vegetable garden with an even wider varieties, and the collection of valuable data from projects such as in-situ electrochemical and optical studies on lithium-ion batteries," said Zhang Hongzhang, who was the last of the astronauts to exit the spacecraft.
"Looking at Earth from space, I deeply felt that humanity is an indivisible community with a shared future. Now that I am back on Earth and have returned to my motherland, I feel an immense sense of security and warmth. Going forward, I will continue to build on these achievements and contribute to making China a strong power in space, science and technology," he said.
The returned crew members will now head to Beijing by plane and enter a quarantined recovery period, during which they will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and health assessments and start their recuperation process.
Prior to their return, the astronauts completed all planned tasks and handed over the space station to their three colleagues of the Shenzhou-23 mission who boarded the space station on May 25.
The crew's planned stay in-orbit was extended by approximately one month to further verify the technologies regarding the long-term stay of astronauts in orbit and fully use the supplies delivered by the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft in an emergency launch.
The Shenzhou-21 crew's original spaceship, which sent them into space on Oct 31 last year, was previously returned to Earth carrying the astronauts of the preceding Shenzhou-20 mission after tiny cracks were found in the viewport window of the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft's return capsule. That spacecraft was later safely brought back to Earth.
Shenzhou-21 crew return to Earth after successful seven-month mission in space
