China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG)

has launched the experimental commercial operation phase of the world's largest hybrid solar power plant that combines photovoltaic modules and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. The complex, located in the Gobi Desert near Hami, in China's Xinjiang region, reaches a total capacity of 1 GW and is distinguished by the use of a molten salt thermal storage system, capable of continuing to produce energy up to eight hours after sunset without resorting to lithium-ion batteries.

The infrastructure represents one of the largest projects carried out by CTG in the renewable energy sector and officially entered the trial commercial operation phase on July 1, although it had already been connected to the power grid since September 18, 2025, and had been supplying the regional electrical system for several months.

The plant occupies approximately 1,817 hectares at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and is the result of an investment of 3.53 billion yuan, equivalent to about 480 million dollars. The configuration includes 900 MW of traditional photovoltaic panels and a 100 MW CSP section, which plays the role of storage and production during the evening hours.

The energy produced during the day by the photovoltaic modules is fed directly into the grid. At the same time, the thermodynamic section uses about 260,000 adjustable mirrors spread over a reflective area of about 800,000 square meters to concentrate solar radiation and heat molten salts to about 550 °C. The heat is then stored and subsequently used to generate steam that powers a turbine when photovoltaic production ceases.

It is important to note that the nighttime operation only concerns the 100 MW CSP unit. The plant does not continue to deliver the full rated capacity of 1 GW at night but provides a programmable block of energy intended to cover the evening hours when electricity demand remains high and photovoltaic panels no longer produce energy.

According to CTG, the system adopts a linear Fresnel configuration that increases thermal conversion efficiency by up to 10% compared to conventional Fresnel systems. The architecture with 46 independent circuits also allows for maintenance interventions without interrupting the operation of the entire plant. A centralized control system coordinates the production of the photovoltaic and thermal parts, ensuring a frequency adjustment accuracy of about 0.02 Hz and response times of less than one second.

Since connecting to the grid, the complex has already supplied about 6.54 million kWh of electricity. Once fully operational, CTG expects an annual production of about 2.07 TWh, an amount deemed sufficient to power approximately 830,000 homes. The company also estimates a reduction in CO₂ emissions of about 1.63 million tons per year and an increase in the use of renewable sources in Xinjiang to over 95%.

With this project, the Hami project surpasses the previous record held by the Noor Energy 1 complex in Dubai, which has 950 MW, becoming the largest hybrid plant integrating photovoltaic and thermodynamic solar power.

According to CTG, thermal storage serves different needs than lithium batteries. Niu Jianle, director of the Hami project, explained that batteries are particularly suitable for managing short-duration peaks, while the molten salt system offers a greater storage capacity and longer discharge cycles, in addition to not producing emissions during operation. The same official described the connection to the grid as a crucial step in bringing this technology from the experimental phase to large-scale commercial application.

CTG has already announced a second phase of expansion that will bring the Hami energy hub to a total capacity of 3 GW. Meanwhile, China Energy Engineering Corporation has begun constructing another hybrid plant nearby, set to combine 1.3 GW of photovoltaic power with 150 MW of CSP technology for a total power of 1.5 GW.