Sea of solar panels as China expands desert installations

Ordos - An ocean of blue solar panels ripples across the ochre dunes of Inner Mongolia’s Kubuqi desert, a glittering example of China’s almost inconceivably mammoth energy transition.

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Even as other countries have put the brakes on desert solar projects for economic or technical reasons, China - the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases — is ploughing ahead.

Desert solar installations are a key part of China’s plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. The country’s solar capacity dwarfs global efforts and is so substantial it may even impact local weather patterns.

"Before, there was nothing here... it was desolate,” Kubuqi local Chang Yongfei said, as he gestured towards fields of shimmering panels.

The installations are so enormous, they are visible from space. AFP analysis of satellite images over the last decade shows in Kubuqi alone more than 100km² of panels have been installed, an area roughly the size of Paris.

Yesterday, China pledged to expand wind and solar capacity to more than six times its 2020 levels, as it tries to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10% from peak levels.