China is developing a massive renewable energy project in the Kubuqi Desert of Inner Mongolia, a barren expanse now set to host one of the world’s largest stretches of solar energy infrastructure. Known as the Solar Great Wall, the project aims to generate power while addressing environmental challenges in the region.
Spanning nearly 250 miles in length, the Solar Great Wall will leverage the desert’s flat terrain and abundant sunlight to maximize solar power production.
Upon completion in 2030, the project is expected to achieve a total capacity of 100 gigawatts, enough to potentially power around 29 million homes.
In addition to generating electricity, the project is designed to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. By stabilizing wind-eroded dunes and reducing evaporation through solar shading, the Solar Great Wall helps combat desertification.
The project also supports ecological restoration by enabling vegetation growth under its solar panels, transforming sections of the arid desert into greener areas.
China remains a global leader in solar energy, accounting for 51% of the world’s solar capacity as of mid-2024. Between 2017 and 2023, the country consistently added an average of 40,000 megawatts of solar capacity annually. The Solar Great Wall is expected to further solidify China’s position at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.