China has reached a major clean energy milestone by connecting a one-million-kilowatt project to the electricity grid. The project can help increase power supply and support the shift towards cleaner energy.
Why it matters: One million kilowatts equals one gigawatt (GW), a large amount of generating capacity. The real environmental benefit will depend on how much electricity the project produces and how much fossil-fuel power it replaces.
Key facts: The Gonghe project in Qinghai Province combines solar panels with molten-salt heat storage, which can help supply electricity after sunset. It is expected to generate about 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours annually and cut carbon emissions by an estimated 2.07 million tonnes per year. These are projections, not yet verified annual results.
