On the evening of May 10, the Zabuye Comprehensive Energy EPC Project in Tibet, constructed by Shandong Electric Power Construction Third Engineering Co., Ltd., achieved simultaneous thermal storage and power generation from two molten salt units, marking the full commissioning of the project.
To achieve this milestone, the project team optimized resource allocation, prioritized safety and quality control, and fostered strong collaboration among all personnel. Responsibilities were clearly defined for each task and individual, ensuring the project’s successful completion through collective efforts.
Located approximately 165 kilometers north of Zhongba County, Xigaze City, on the southeastern edge of Zabuye Salt Lake at an altitude exceeding 4,500 meters, this groundbreaking project is the world’s first off-grid integrated energy system in a high-altitude, remote region. Centered on a 40MW parabolic trough solar thermal power station, the system combines solar thermal energy, 35MW photovoltaic power, 20–40MWh electrochemical storage, and steam supply to deliver 24/7 stable and reliable clean energy. Aligned with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for sustainable energy development, the project supports lithium extraction from salt lakes, drives economic growth in Tibet, and delivers significant environmental and social benefits.
As Shandong Electric Power Construction Third Engineering Co., Ltd.’s first large-scale EPC project in Tibet and its inaugural domestic parabolic trough solar thermal plant, the project demonstrates the feasibility of high-altitude energy infrastructure. Overcoming challenges such as extreme altitude, harsh climate, and logistical constraints since its March 2023 launch, the team embodied the spirit of “No oxygen, but no lack of resolve; high altitude, but higher aspirations,” achieving all milestones on schedule. This initiative provides critical insights for future high-altitude clean energy projects and advances solar thermal technology in extreme environments.
