Once plagued by relentless winds and sparse vegetation, the saline-alkali wasteland in Tubuxin Sumu, Horqin Left Wing Middle Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia, is now a vibrant green landscape this autumn.
Across the vast wilderness, expansive rows of photovoltaic panels stretch into the distance, wind turbine blades rotate steadily, and beneath the solar arrays, lush grass and wildflowers thrive.
This remarkable ecological transformation stems from the locally implemented integrated project combining desertification control with wind and solar power development. As a key initiative for sandy land restoration in Tongliao City, the project explores a coordinated pathway between ecological rehabilitation and new energy development, turning barren wasteland into an ecological oasis.
Where to begin
The first phase of the Horqin Left Wing Middle Banner desertification control and wind-solar integration project, with a capacity of 550 megawatts, has now achieved grid-connected power generation. This includes 200 megawatts of wind power and 350 megawatts of solar capacity, complemented by an electrochemical energy storage system.
Why this project stands out
Addressing the region's severe salinization and scarce vegetation, the project adopts a "construct while restoring" approach. The photovoltaic panels serve as windbreaks, stabilizing sand and conserving soil moisture, which improves the micro-ecosystem of the sandy terrain and facilitates vegetation recovery.
The initiative implements a three-dimensional governance model of "power generation above the panels, crop cultivation between the rows, and sand control beneath them." Local soil conditions are improved through targeted measures, with salt-tolerant grass species being replanted.
Expected benefits
The project is projected to generate 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1 million tons each year. This not only optimizes the regional energy structure and restores the ecological environment but also creates local employment opportunities and boosts incomes, achieving a win-win outcome across ecological, economic, and livelihood benefits.