Inner Mongolia Huineng Coal Power Group Co's 69.6-billion-yuan ($9.6-billion) solid waste utilization and source-grid-load-storage project broke ground on July 21 at Hanggin Banner Economic Development Zone.

As a landmark project of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), it aims to reshape regional energy and materials structure through large-scale industrial waste consumption.

The groundbreaking ceremony. [Photo/Wechat account of Jin News]

Upon completion, the project will process 6 million tons of coal gangue and fly ash annually, producing 2 million metri tons of high-end alloy materials. It will feature 7,000 megawatts of new energy capacity – 6,000 MW of wind and 1,000 MW of solar – forming an off-grid integrated system.

The project delivers ecological, industrial and social value. It will replace 10 million tons of bauxite yearly, cutting China's bauxite import dependence by 8 percent. Expected annual output is 32 billion yuan, with 4.5 billion yuan in tax revenue and over 9,000 new jobs.

The project underpins Hangjin's industrial upgrading and leapfrog economic development, while targeting national zero-carbon park benchmark status – building an industrial foundation and green momentum for regional high-quality growth.