Project Commissioning & Technical Scope
On November 30, 2024, the Aral 2GW Photovoltaic Base Project (Phase I) – Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps’ largest single-commissioned photovoltaic initiative for desert ecosystem restoration – achieved full-capacity grid connection in Division 1, Aral. Situated in Xinjingzi Town (Regiment 2), this 1,000MW facility spans over 20,000 mu (3,300 acres) and features 320 PV arrays comprising more than 1.81 million solar panels. The project integrates a 220kV booster station, a 53km 220kV transmission line, and a 250MW/1,000MWh energy storage system. Its strategic location north of the Taklimakan Desert capitalizes on flat terrain, extended daylight hours (exceeding 3,200 annually), and intensive solar radiation.

Ecological Impact & Emission Reductions
Upon operation, the project will generate approximately 1.22 billion kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to saving 390,000 tonnes of standard coal while reducing emissions by 1.07 million tonnes of CO₂, 1.08 million tonnes of SO₂, and 172 tonnes of NOx. Pioneering a "Grass-PV Complementarity" model, it actively rehabilitates desertified, degraded, and saline-alkali grasslands. Solar panels reduce surface evaporation by 20-30%, creating microclimates conducive to native vegetation regeneration. Through coordinated reseeding of Halogeton glomeratus, Puccinellia distans, and Suaeda salsa with indigenous species, the initiative synergizes solar power generation with ecological restoration, progressively rebuilding soil structure and suppressing dust storms.

Institutional Collaboration & Governance
Developed in partnership with Aral Natural Resources Bureau, the project implements scientifically validated grassland rehabilitation protocols. Municipal authorities expedited land acquisition and permitting through dedicated green channels, providing comprehensive one-stop administrative support. Government officials conducted frequent on-site inspections to resolve operational challenges, ensuring policy alignment and resource allocation. This institutional framework – combining specialized agronomic teams for reseeding, fertilization, and irrigation with robust governance – establishes a replicable model for large-scale renewable projects in ecologically vulnerable regions.