On May 11, the 50MW solar thermal power station in Qinghai Gonghe, operated by Power Operation and Maintenance Management Co., Ltd. of PowerChina, achieved a historic single-day electricity generation of 918,750 kWh, marking the highest output since the plant’s commissioning.
As one of China’s first solar thermal demonstration projects, the Qinghai Gonghe Solar Thermal Power Station has drawn significant industry attention. The facility features a single-tower design with an installed capacity of 1×50MW, equipped with a 6-hour thermal storage system. Its 210-meter-high receiver tower and heliostat field covering approximately 600,300 square meters employ cutting-edge heat collection and exchange technologies, making it a strategic pillar in Qinghai’s integrated “photovoltaic + solar thermal” clean energy system.
Since formally assuming operation and maintenance responsibilities in late 2024, the company has prioritized safety protocols, strengthened equipment management, and implemented refined operational controls to enhance system reliability. These efforts launched a comprehensive campaign to boost power generation efficiency and ensure stable, secure plant operations.
Company leaders and technical experts have repeatedly visited the site to provide guidance, develop key task plans, and optimize operational strategies, ensuring systematic and rule-based management. Measures such as increasing heliostat cleaning frequency and improving maintenance efficiency have significantly enhanced equipment utilization. To address the unpredictable weather conditions of the Talatan area, operational teams conducted in-depth analyses to refine system operations and develop tailored operational procedures. Maintenance personnel worked overtime to drastically shorten heliostat cleaning cycles, boosting mirror field efficiency and power generation capacity, thereby strengthening energy supply reliability.
The milestone of 918,750 kWh is not merely a number—it stands as a powerful testament to the company’s technical expertise in solar thermal operation and maintenance. Building on this breakthrough, the company will continue to uphold its commitment to safety, unify efforts, leverage its technical, managerial, and talent advantages, and persistently optimize plant operations to ensure stable, high-efficiency performance. This initiative reinforces the station’s role in delivering reliable clean energy to the grid, supporting China’s green energy transition.
