The Wustong CSP + PV Hybrid Project in Tokson County, Turpan City, is one of the key market-oriented renewable energy projects approved in the second batch of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2022. It is also a flagship project under Turpan’s 14th Five-Year Plan for new energy development and a major demonstration project within Eastern Xinjiang’s large-scale renewable energy base.
Project Overview
The project is located in the Wustonggou area of Tokson County, Turpan City, approximately 6 km south of Provincial Highway S301 and north of the Wustonggou Reservoir, about 48 km from the county center. Situated in a Gobi region with abundant solar resources, the site offers excellent conditions for concentrated solar power (CSP) development.
The project has a total installed capacity of 1GW, comprising:
- 100MW molten salt tower CSP plant (core component)
- 900MW photovoltaic (PV) capacity
Main Participants
Technical Configuration
The project adopts a mature molten salt tower CSP technology:
- 14,680 heliostats, each measuring 6.3m × 4.8m
- Total reflective area: 440,400 m²
- 8-hour thermal energy storage system
- One set each of high-temperature and low-temperature molten salt tanks
- Total molten salt inventory: approximately 21,000 tonnes
This configuration enables long-duration energy storage, stable power output, and efficient integration of variable renewable energy.
Construction Progress
- 2022: Included in Xinjiang’s second batch of market-oriented grid-connected renewable energy projects, marking project initiation.
- July 31, 2023: Cosin Solar Technology Co., Ltd. awarded the contract for the CSP solar field system, confirming core technology and equipment supplier.
- September 2023: Official groundbreaking; main civil construction commenced.
- January 2024:
- 450MW of PV modules installed
- 220kV #1 booster station commissioned for trial operation
- CSP civil works reached 60% completion; receiver tower construction reached 60m height
- November 2024: All 14,680 heliostats installed, completing a key milestone for the solar field
- April 2025: Final design technical briefing and construction drawing review completed; project entered full-scale construction and installation phase
- July 8, 2025: Steam turbine casing closure completed, marking a critical milestone for the conventional island
- September 18, 2025: Distributed Control System (DCS) energized and restored; project entered integrated system commissioning phase
- December 1, 2025: Water filling test for molten salt tanks completed; key thermal storage system acceptance milestone achieved
- January 20, 2026: Insulation works for molten salt tanks completed
- February 2026: Jiangsu Lianchu Energy Technology shortlisted for molten salt commissioning works; salt melting expected to be completed by April 30, 2026
The project is scheduled to achieve full-capacity grid connection in 2026.
Project Value and Significance
Upon completion:
- CSP plant annual generation: 101.22 GWh
- CSP annual net export: ~87.11 GWh
- PV average annual export (25-year period): ~1,628.35 GWh
- Total annual electricity export: ~1.715 TWh
Environmental benefits:
- Annual standard coal savings: ~247,000 tonnes
- Annual CO₂ emissions reduction: ~640,000 tonnes
By combining long-duration thermal energy storage from CSP with PV generation, the project significantly smooths renewable output fluctuations, reduces grid balancing pressure, and enhances renewable energy consumption. It plays an important role in:
Promoting large-scale deployment of CSP technology in China
Advancing Turpan’s energy transition
Supporting regional energy security
Industry Engagement
For those interested in CSP + PV hybrid projects, including construction progress, operational performance, and technological innovations, participation is welcome at:
The 13th China International CSP Conference (CPC2026)
📅 May 28–29, 2026
📍 Chengdu, China
The conference will bring together experts and industry leaders across the CSP value chain to discuss development trends, share project experience, and foster collaboration.
