On October 17, Xinhua News Agency reported from Urumqi that Jamal Al-Ghadiri Balmawi, a journalist from the Jordanian News Agency, expressed his admiration for China’s pursuit of high-quality development and its emphasis on renewable energy sources. “I was impressed by the numerous significant green energy projects in Xinjiang,” Balmawi stated during a recent media tour.
Accompanied by journalists from multiple countries, Balmawi visited the National Energy Group’s Xinjiang Energy Control Center in Urumqi. Through videos, presentations, virtual reality experiences, and interviews, he gained insights into Xinjiang’s wind and solar energy initiatives, witnessing firsthand the region’s commitment to green development and how it exemplifies China’s high-quality growth narrative.
The video presentations highlighted several prominent renewable energy projects in Xinjiang, including the first commercial wind farm in China, the Daban City Wind Farm, the Uch Tar Wind Farm located in western China’s Pamir Plateau, three wind farms near Sailimu Lake, and an ecological photovoltaic project situated deep within the second-largest desert in China, the Gurbantünggüt Desert, near Urumqi.
Marijana Djurjevic, director of the television program department at the Republic of Srpska Radio and Television in Bosnia and Herzegovina, praised these green energy initiatives. She remarked, “China is a leader in the green energy sector, taking on major responsibilities for the natural environment. The government has developed policies and strategies specific to the characteristics of Xinjiang, yielding very positive results.”
Shakir Kourzumbayev, editor-in-chief of Kazakhstan Industrial Daily, could not take his eyes off the green energy project exhibitions presented by the National Energy Group. “Here we see world-leading green energy technology,” he noted. “Clean energy is advancing the development of various sectors, including agriculture and industry.”
On a high-speed train from Urumqi to Turpan, Rosalinda Maria Tejera, president of Spain’s La Mancha Weekly, was captivated by the continuous array of towering wind turbines along the route. While Tejera is familiar with wind energy, she was surprised to learn just how far China has come in wind energy development and utilization.
Tejera’s group visited the National Energy Group’s Turpan photovoltaic power station. This project, which began construction in 2012, is China’s first commercial rooftop solar and microgrid demonstration project, serving over 7,300 households across 11 communities with an annual power generation capacity of approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours. During the day, power generated by rooftop solar panels is supplied directly to residents, with excess energy stored in a battery system for evening usage.
Additionally, the project established a centralized electric vehicle charging station capable of charging 22 vehicles simultaneously, marking it as one of China’s earliest integrated solar storage and charging demonstration projects.
Marcelo Benes, chief business officer of Brazil’s São Paulo Page, deemed the project highly practical, representing a tangible example of green sustainable development in Xinjiang while also showcasing China’s innovative capabilities. He later experienced VR training equipment utilized by staff for simulated maintenance tasks. “Incredible!” he exclaimed. “China is not only advancing green energy but also developing appropriate management models and technologies to support it.”
Outside the control building of the Turpan photovoltaic power station, solar panels adorned the walls, designed with ventilation-enhancing perforations reminiscent of traditional “Turpan grapes” drying houses to prevent direct sunlight. Maximilian Manasterski, a reporter from Poland’s Information Agency, was struck by how perfectly the building harmonized modern technology with traditional aesthetics, leaving a lasting impression.
“In Europe, we seldom hear about China’s advancements and achievements in the green energy sector,” Manasterski commented. “I was previously unaware of Xinjiang’s important role in China’s high-quality development. We should increase coverage to inform more people around the world.”
Joshua Jere, head of online news media at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, expressed his astonishment after visiting the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation’s green hydrogen demonstration project in Kuqa, Xinjiang. “Although I have visited many projects in China and learned about its developmental achievements, seeing this green energy project for the first time truly shocked me.”
The Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project is China’s first large-scale, photovoltaic-powered hydrogen production initiative, utilizing the region’s abundant solar resources to generate hydrogen without substantial greenhouse gas emissions, completing the entire process from hydrogen production to use.
At the site, reporters observed spherical hydrogen storage tanks neatly arranged under blue skies and white clouds. In the control room, a simple press of a button displayed the operational status of extensive solar panel arrays about 20 kilometers away at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains on a large screen. The project’s hydrogen production and storage data were revealed in real-time through a computer system.
Jere noted in an interview that the use of photovoltaic electrolysis to produce hydrogen in Xinjiang is remarkable, offering valuable insights for Zambia in addressing climate change and accelerating the development of its green energy industry. He highlighted Zambia’s solar abundance and water resources, which could facilitate similar projects as those in Kuqa. “I hope we can introduce more green energy technologies from China to solve our energy shortage problems,” he added.
Reflecting on his visit, Sheliek Linthaal, spokesperson for the President of Suriname, remarked that the Kuqa project embodies ambition for green development, with its scale and innovative technology being quite impressive. Suriname looks forward to enhancing cooperation with Chinese enterprises to further improve its sustainable development capabilities.
“The Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and providing significant support for environmental protection,” stated Ding Linang, a senior journalist with the Myanmar News and Journal Company. He emphasized that the project not only illustrates technological advancements but also embodies a promising future for green development, serving as a reference for both Myanmar and the world.