China Huaneng Group, the second-largest global power utility, announces plans to intensify investments in new energy projects, including solar and offshore wind power. This move aligns with China’s commitment to green energy transition and low-carbon transformation.
Commitment to Green and Low-Carbon Transformation
During a recent press conference in Beijing, China Huaneng Group unveiled its strategy to invest in 222 new energy projects across the country this year. The company is actively involved in the construction of projects with a combined capacity of almost 34 million kilowatts, emphasizing its dedication to sustainable and clean energy development.
Impressive Growth in New Energy Sector
In 2023, Huaneng’s accumulated installed capacity of new energy projects surpassed 72 million kilowatts, with new energy generation exceeding 100 billion kilowatt-hours for the first time. The proportion of low-carbon clean energy in the company’s overall capacity witnessed a 5.4 percentage points increase year-on-year.
Li Lailong, head of Huaneng’s planning and new energy business department, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and technology empowerment. Huaneng aims to focus on pioneering technologies crucial to the evolution of the energy sector.
Contributing to China’s Green Transition
As one of China’s largest state-owned power generation companies, Huaneng’s expansion in the new energy sector supports the nation’s broader goals of transitioning to a greener and more sustainable energy landscape. Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, acknowledges Huaneng’s role as a leading contributor to the country’s green transition.
The company’s strategic investments in regions like the Shandong Peninsula and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area contribute to the growth of new energy capacities in key economic zones in China.
Surge in Renewable Energy Investments
China witnessed a significant surge in investments in the renewable energy sector in 2023, highlighting the country’s strategic focus on diversifying its energy portfolio and reducing reliance on traditional sources. According to the National Energy Administration, total investment in key energy projects reached 2.8 trillion yuan last year.
This year, Huaneng embarks on its largest scale of construction and production in offshore wind projects since 2021, with projects in strategic locations, including the Liaoning Bay, Shandong Peninsula, Yangtze River Delta region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mega Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Project
In Southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region, Huaneng has initiated the construction of a mega photovoltaic and energy storage project. With an installed capacity of 250,000 kilowatts, the project features a 50 megawatts/200 megawatt-hours energy storage system, making it the largest solar and energy storage project in Xizang.
Scheduled for grid connection in June, the project is expected to generate over 490 million kilowatt-hours annually. This development aims to replace about 119,000 metric tons of standard coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 329,000 tons each year. The completion of this project is anticipated to accelerate the development of clean energy in the region, contributing to local economic and social development while addressing local power supply and demand challenges effectively.
Source：http://www.chinadaily.com.cn
