On 21 July the 500 MW independent energy storage project of Huadian, located in Akkash Township, Kashgar City, China, was successfully connected to the power grid for the first time. As the largest independent energy storage facility in southern Xinjiang, this project is expected to provide significant momentum for regional energy transition and economic development.
Kashgar, situated on the western edge of the Taklimakan desert, enjoys annual insolation exceeding 2800 hours. The extensive desert and Gobi areas provide favourable conditions for the development of the photovoltaic industry. Currently, the installed photovoltaic capacity in Kashgar Prefecture exceeded 10.2486 million kW, accounting for 75.7% of the total installed power capacity in the region. Kashgar has established Xinjiang’s first 10 million kW level all-photovoltaic power generation base, which now serves as a key component of the power system in southern Xinjiang. This base enhances the energy structure of Kashgar Prefecture and, by leveraging its unique geographical time zone advantage, effectively addresses the evening peak power demand in central and eastern provinces during peak generation periods.
The total investment in this project amounts to approximately 1.6 billion yuan. Located 41 km east of Kashgar City, the facility covers an area of 119 000 square m. It employs a lithium iron phosphate battery system and includes 100 energy storage units along with a 220 kV collection station. The project implements a hybrid energy storage configuration, combining 50% grid-forming and 50% grid-following technologies. It connects to the Kashgar 750 kV substation via a single 220 kV transmission line. State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company has consistently advanced the project’s preparatory work, accelerated power grid infrastructure development through co-ordinated measures, and ensured the successful grid connection of the Huadian Energy Storage Project.
State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company is expecting to continue prioritising the development of the new energy industry, strengthen the integrated development mechanism of ‘source-grid-load-storage,’ and promote the innovation and application of energy storage technologies.
