China Energy Engineering Northwest Institute General Contractor! Progress overview of the 150MW CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) project in Hami

(Source: CSPPLAZA Solar Thermal Power Platform)

China Energy Construction Hami’s “Solar (Thermal) Storage” 1500MW Multi-Energy Complementary Integrated Green Power Demonstration Project is a key benchmark project in the second batch of “Sago Desert” large-scale wind and photovoltaic bases nationwide. It is also the largest single-tower solar thermal power station under construction in Xinjiang and the world’s largest “solar (thermal) storage” integrated project in terms of single-phase construction scale.

The project is located in the Chahaquan Gobi area of Santang Lake Town, Bolekeng Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, Xinjiang, 38 km east of G575 National Highway, about 120 km from Bolekeng County seat.

The core configuration includes a 150MW molten salt tower-type solar thermal power plant. China Energy Construction Investment Hami Green Energy Co., Ltd. is the sole implementation entity responsible for investment, construction, and operation throughout the entire cycle; China Electric Power Engineering Consulting Group Northwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. is the EPC contractor; Zhejiang Thermal Power Construction Co., Ltd. of China Energy Construction Group is responsible for core engineering construction.

The project adopts a molten salt tower technology route, with a 219-meter-high heat-absorbing tower, 20,516 fixed-dish mirrors, and a total heliostat area of approximately 615,000 square meters. It features an 8-hour rated high-temperature molten salt heat storage system, with a core equipment localization rate of over 99%.

Construction officially began in May 2024, with grid connection planned for June 2026, and full capacity grid connection expected by October 2026.

After completion, the integrated green power demonstration project is expected to generate about 3 billion kWh annually (approximately 2.8 billion kWh from photovoltaics and 200 million kWh from solar thermal). It will save 868,000 tons of standard coal annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 2.256 million tons, demonstrating significant ecological and emission reduction benefits. Through long-term solar thermal energy storage and photovoltaic synergy, the project will reduce the demand for grid regulation support, improve new energy absorption levels, and promote local socio-economic development and the construction of China’s solar thermal power industry.

Main Participating Units

Key Project Progress

July 2022: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission released the “List of the Second Batch of Market-Oriented Grid-Connected New Energy Projects in the Autonomous Region,” with this project ranked first, marking the official landing of the world’s largest “solar (thermal) storage” demonstration base in Xinjiang.

May 2024: The project officially broke ground, entering the main civil construction phase.

December 19, 2024: The last concrete pour was completed for the heat-absorbing tower body, which stands at a total height of 181 meters. This marks the completion of the tower’s concrete structure, with preparations underway to install the heat absorber at the 181-meter platform.

December 24, 2024: The first fixed-dish mirror was successfully completed and installed, marking an important milestone in construction.

March 16, 2025: The power generation system and individual components entered the equipment installation phase, creating conditions for project completion within the year.

July 16, 2025: The 219-meter-high heat-absorbing tower was officially topped out. On the same day, the foundation for the steam turbine was completed, marking a key milestone in the main civil works and entering the equipment installation preparation stage.

September 6, 2025: The last panel of the heat absorber was successfully hoisted into place, completing the installation of the heat absorber.

October 27, 2025: The 120-ton boiler was hoisted into position, laying a solid foundation for subsequent unit commissioning and grid connection.

November 22, 2025: The 158-ton generator stator was installed, marking the project’s transition into the core phase of turbine generator assembly.

December 30, 2025: The project completed the delivery of 20,516 fixed-dish mirrors on schedule and with high quality, laying a solid foundation for grid-connected power generation.

January 15, 2026: The last concrete pour was completed for one of the core systems—the hot and cold salt pump support frame—marking the full completion of the heat exchange system’s main load-bearing structure, and laying a solid foundation for subsequent equipment hoisting, piping connections, and system commissioning.

March 2026: The project resumed full construction, with all personnel and machinery in place, seizing the peak construction period of the year to accelerate all pre-grid connection work.