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Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

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      China

      China

      Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

      2024-07-30 22:29 Last Updated At:23:07

      A sprawling solar power plant covering thousands of acres in northern China's Kubuqi Desert is spearheading the country's drive towards a greener future, revitalizing the once barren landscape and helping combat climate change.

      The power station located in Dalad Banner, an administrative region in Inner Mongolia, boasts 196,000 solar panels that were installed in the pattern of a galloping horse when viewed from above. It forms only part of a larger solar farm that's able to provide enough clean electricity for over 300,000 people annually. Together with four other similar solar farms stretching across the western part of Inner Mongolia, they form what's called a solar panel Great Wall.

      In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Li Kai, director of the local Energy Bureau Office, said the scale of the solar farm is still expanding.

      "Currently, the new energy projects in Dalad Banner have reached over 3 gigawatts. By around 2030, the total power generation capacity of all new energy projects in our county will reach 40 billion kilowatt-hours. At that time, one out of every three lights in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will be powered by electricity generated here," he said.

      Currently under construction, this 21st century "Great Wall of Clean Electricity" is planned to be 400 kilometers long and an average of 5 kilometers wide, and is expected to contribute to ecological management of 9 million mu of desert and PV management of 3 million mu, while supporting 10 gigawatts of new energy capacity.

      A solar farm like this one saves 680,000 metric tons of standard coal annually and reduces CO2 emissions by 1.65 million tons each year.

      Tian Ye, a duty officer, told CGTN that the integrated control room where he works can monitor five solar power plants in this region.

      "Here, we can remotely monitor and maintain the operations. When a fault occurs, the system provides a warning, allowing us to coordinate with on-site maintenance personnel who carry out the necessary repairs. For more common faults, the repair time is typically around half an hour," he said.

      In addition to providing clean energy, the vast array of solar panels serve as a first line of defense against desert sand blowing into the Yellow River, better protecting water quality and the communities that rely on it.

      The solar panels also play an important role in combating desertification by allowing vegetation to grow underneath them, according to Ao Xiaohu, director of engineering management for the operating company. The shade provided by the solar panels creates this microclimate underneath, which better retains soil moisture from evaporation by sunlight.

      "During our construction process, we strive to preserve the original landscape as much as possible. Depending on the soil conditions, we introduce more resilient grasses and medicinal plants for cultivation. Under the solar panels, we integrate grazing and agriculture to boost economic benefits," he said.

      Ao said that with the transition from coal-fired power companies, traditional and new energy sources work hand in hand; during the day, solar panels generate electricity, while at night, the traditional thermal power plant takes over, ensuring a smooth flow of electricity throughout the day.

      "Inner Mongolia Energy Group used to be a traditional coal-fired power company, with over 90 percent of its total installed capacity coming from coal-fired power and only about 5 to 7 percent from renewable energy. Through two years of energy transition, the installed capacity of new energy projects under construction and already in operation now accounts for more than 70 percent of our total capacity. Our future goal is to further advance the development of a large modern energy enterprise, primarily based on renewable energy," he said.

      Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

      Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

      Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

      Inner Mongolia's "Solar Panel Great Wall" powers China's green future

      Vibrant intangible cultural heritage activities and time-honored folk performances have unfolded across China to mark the millennium-old Qingming Festival.

      During the Qingming Festival -- also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day -- which dates back over 2,500 years, it is traditional for Chinese people to return to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors and deceased loved ones. This year, the festival fell on Friday.

      In Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, located in central China's Hunan Province, local ethnic minority communities not only sweep graves to pay tribute to their individual ancestors but also hold a grand singing celebration to honor their shared ancestors.

      On Friday, the annual singing event during the Qingming Festival was held in Jishou, a county-level city in the prefecture. The Miao people living in the city and its neighboring areas gathered on the mountain and by the river, wearing exquisite festive attire, to commemorate their ancestors and enjoy family reunions with melodious singing.

      "As long as there are people at the event who are listening attentively and still remember the melody, our culture will never be lost," said Gong Xiangyuan, a performer.

      The event was inscribed on list of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in Hunan in 2006. Since then, the gathering has become more vibrant, with various performances added to the commemoration.

      In Xinshi, an ancient water town in east China's Zhejiang Province, a Silkworm Flower Temple Fair opened on Friday. The event is one of the most representative folk customs during the Qingming Festival in this silk-producing province, held to pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest.

      Amid a bustling sedan chair parade, "silk blossom fairies" adorned in traditional attire scattered flowers and candies to the crowd, symbolizing farmers' hopes for a prosperous silk season.

      "It's my first time attending. It gave me a chance to directly learn about my hometown's silkworm culture," said Ji Leyi, a visitor.

      This year's temple fair also featured an innovative robotic dog show, wowing visitors with a striking fusion of traditional folklore and modern technology.

      In Hua'an County of Zhangzhou City, in east China's Fujian Province, a carnival-like parade took place around a typical Tulou--a Hakka earthen building with a history spanning over 200 years. The energetic Yingge dance, which blends opera, dance, and martial arts, further heightened the festive atmosphere.

      "The local people are involved, and there are many visitors from out of town. I'm also participating as a visitor, filming the experience," Lei Lanfang said.

      The picturesque Wujiang Village in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, offered holidaymakers the chance to learn traditional crafts and create their own unique souvenirs. Visitors could dye a blue-and-white dress, assemble a festive lantern or a bamboo-framed paper kite, and handcraft herbal paper with freshly picked flowers.

      Vibrant intangible cultural heritage activities held across China to mark Qingming Festival

      Vibrant intangible cultural heritage activities held across China to mark Qingming Festival

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