Inner Mongolia Energy Group commenced construction on the first phase of the 500-megawatt photovoltaic integration project for desertification control in Ordos' Dalad Banner on Feb 27.

The project's construction site. [Photo/WeChat account of Nuan News]

The project, located in the banner's Kubuqi Desert, with 2.5 billion yuan ($350 million) in investment and an area of 15,000 mu (1,000 hectares), is a key new energy initiative under Inner Mongolia's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and part of Ordos' strategy to develop a "wind, solar, hydrogen, and vehicle" industrial cluster.

The project innovatively combines photovoltaic power generation with desertification control through an integrated "power above, plant below, farm in between" development model. It cultivates drought-resistant crops and forage grasses under the panels while developing specialty farming, balancing environmental management with economic benefits.

The project is expected to generate an average of 800 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually, reducing standard coal consumption by about 390,000 metric tons and carbon emissions by approximately 790,000 tons. This will significantly improve the local environment, boost the incomes of surrounding farmers and herders, and make Ordos' high-quality economic and social development more sustainable.