Construction has resumed on China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group's 500 megawatts integrated photovoltaic and desertification control project in Dalad Banner, Ordos city.

Located in the heart of the Kubuqi Desert, the project is racing to meet its target of full grid connection by the end of June, capitalizing on the spring construction season.

Work is underway on the booster station, photovoltaic pile foundations, and off-site desert control engineering. Pile foundations for 490 MW of capacity have been completed, and 51,000 mu (approximately 3,400 hectares) of off-site desert restoration has been achieved.

The project, which requires a total investment of 2.1 billion yuan ($287.67 million), combines 500 MW of clean energy capacity with a 75 MW energy storage system.

It adopts an innovative model integrating renewable energy generation with desertification control. The dual-use approach – solar power generation above and vegetation planting below–aims to restore the fragile desert ecosystem, reduce soil erosion, and expand arable land for agriculture and animal husbandry.

Once operational, the project is expected to deliver 850 million kWh of clean electricity annually, saving 260,000 metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 720,000 tons.

This project contributes to ecological improvement in Dalad Banner and promotes clean, renewable energy development, supporting the banner's transition toward a green and sustainable economy.