Xinjiang: Diverse Energy Storage Fuels Continuous Green Energy
Transforming from a barren desert into a “green energy ocean,” Xinjiang is experiencing a significant wave of energy transition towards sustainability. Currently, the installed capacity of renewable energy in Xinjiang has surpassed 100 million kilowatts, making it the first province in the western region to achieve this milestone. Simultaneously, the energy storage industry is emerging as a key “regulator” in Xinjiang’s energy transition. As of February 2025, more than 200 energy storage stations have been established in Xinjiang, with a total installed capacity of 9.777 million kilowatts / 32.663 million kilowatt-hours, ranking it among the top in the country and first in the western region. By embracing green development, Xinjiang is setting an exemplary model for energy transition in the west, continuously injecting green momentum into the construction of a beautiful China.
Expanding Green Energy Charging and Discharging Space
On March 17, construction began on the 1 million kilowatt supporting solar thermal project at Datang Shichengzi in the third batch of desertification projects. The solar thermal power generation system can store excess heat during the day and release it at night for power generation, achieving continuous electricity supply. Due to climatic conditions, the overall output of renewable energy in Xinjiang is characterized by high production in spring and autumn, and lower output in winter and summer. This contrasts with the peak load characteristics of the grid in summer and winter, presenting challenges for electricity supply security. The development of diversified energy storage is laying a solid foundation for the large-scale conversion of clean energy into a stable electricity supply.
The list of independent new energy storage projects for 2024 released by the autonomous region includes 41 projects covering various types such as lithium iron phosphate, vanadium flow batteries, sodium-ion batteries, compressed air, gravity storage, lead-carbon, hydrogen storage, and thermal storage. “Currently, the development of energy storage in Xinjiang exhibits characteristics of scale, marketization, and diversification, effectively meeting the needs of the new power system in Xinjiang. In terms of scale, in 2024, the newly added storage capacity is projected to reach 5.553 million kilowatts / 19.529 million kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 139%, showing rapid development. From a market perspective, Xinjiang has introduced supporting policies for market entry, time-of-use pricing, and capacity compensation, clarifying investment expectations and creating a favorable market environment for development,” said Li Changling, Deputy Director of the Energy Development Research Center of the State Grid Xinjiang Economic Research Institute.
According to the National Medium- and Long-term Pumped Storage Development Plan (2021-2035), Xinjiang plans to build 30 pumped storage power stations with a total capacity of 39 million kilowatts. Currently, four pumped storage power stations with a total of 6.8 million kilowatts are under accelerated construction, which will further ensure the safe and stable operation of Xinjiang and the northwestern power grid.
Building a New Energy Storage Industry Hub
As Xinjiang pursues new development and a greener future, it is committed to the dual carbon goals and is vigorously developing new productivity, pushing the scale of new energy storage to new heights. In 2024, the total energy charged is expected to reach 4.48 billion kilowatt-hours, effectively improving the utilization rate of renewable energy by 3.6% and strongly supporting the power supply during peak demand times. In the Hami Shijianfang Wind District, Xinjiang’s first grid-side independent energy storage station, the Wone Shijianfang Energy Storage Station, features 27 storage units that charge during off-peak hours and discharge during peak periods. This not only facilitates the consumption of renewable energy but also utilizes the price difference between peak and valley electricity to enhance economic benefits. This energy storage station can achieve daily “two charges and two discharges,” with a conversion efficiency of nearly 90%, placing it among the best in the country.
On March 7, the 300 megawatt / 1200 megawatt-hour independent energy storage project in Kezhou has been connected to the grid for 4 months. This project can fully charge 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, ensuring approximately 200,000 households have access to 6 hours of evening peak electricity. It can regulate about 384 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, saving about 115,500 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 300,000 tons. As of 2023, Xinjiang has approved independent new energy storage projects totaling over 11 million kilowatts, and it is expected that by the end of 2025, the grid-connected capacity of new energy storage in Xinjiang will exceed 20 million kilowatts.
Supporting the Long-term Development of the Energy Storage Industry
Since the beginning of this year, with projects like the Xinjiang Huadian Urumqi 1 million kilowatt / 4 million kilowatt-hour independent energy storage and the Lixin Hetian 300 megawatt / 1200 megawatt-hour grid-type independent energy storage completing system design reviews, Xinjiang’s energy storage sector has entered a rapid development phase. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, national, regional, and local development and reform commissions have approved a total of 48.35 million kilowatts of new energy storage projects, including 34.12 million kilowatts for supporting storage and 14.23 million kilowatts for independent storage projects. Since 2021, State Grid Xinjiang Power has completed reviews of over 33 million kilowatts of new energy storage projects. The review process implements a “report, review, and approve” principle, effectively shortening review cycles and optimizing service experiences, thus efficiently supporting the high-quality development of resource allocation in the autonomous region.
To better ensure the favorable development of the energy storage industry, State Grid Xinjiang Power has established a lean management system for energy storage, focusing on “process standardization, grid connection testing, day-ahead scheduling, real-time dispatch, comprehensive monitoring, operational evaluation, and safety management,” maximizing the comprehensive effect of new energy storage in “peak clipping and valley filling.” Through deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, the diverse green energy in various regions of Xinjiang is converging into a powerful, continuous force, driving the wheels of distant factories and illuminating countless homes, as it continues its journey toward a sustainable green future.
