Xizang embraces wind, solar power for green development

Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region is harnessing its vast wind and solar potential on the “roof of the world” to drive sustainable green development.

In Nagqu, a city perched over 4,500 metres above sea level, 25 specially designed wind turbines now generate stable electricity for local communities. Unlike standard models, these high-altitude turbines feature elongated bodies and advanced coatings that allow them to perform efficiently in the thin air and harsh conditions of the plateau.

“Our turbines have a longer structure to enhance aerodynamic performance, expanding the swept area by the equivalent of three to five basketball courts compared to those at lower altitudes,” explained Hu Jiansheng, deputy general manager of CHN Energy Xizang Electric Power Company’s Nagqu branch. “The specialised coatings developed for this environment ensure the turbines remain in top condition throughout their lifespan.”

The wind farm also incorporates an intelligent monitoring system that tracks turbine performance in real time, reducing manual workload and improving safety. “This system allows us to observe the operational status of each turbine instantly,” said Hu. “The colour-coded display helps us identify component conditions at a glance, greatly improving efficiency and safety.”

Meanwhile, in the alpine valleys of Amdo County, construction is under way on a major solar power project that takes advantage of the region’s more than 2,800 hours of annual sunshine. At its core are heliostats—mirrors that automatically adjust to track the sun and concentrate its rays onto a central tower to generate electricity.

“This heliostat is highly intelligent,” said Zhou Jianwen, chief engineer of Xizang Development and Investment Corporation’s Nagqu River Company. “It’s equipped with a solar tracker that functions like a smartwatch, constantly monitoring the sun’s position with 0.1-degree precision.”

The solar farm is expected to connect to the grid in October 2026, supplying clean, reliable energy to Amdo County and surrounding areas.

In recent years, Xizang has rapidly advanced its green energy transition, expanding wind and solar capacity and building major clean energy hubs. By the end of last year, over 99 percent of the region’s electricity was generated from renewable sources—making Xizang’s grid the cleanest in China.

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