A 1 GW/4 GWh electrochemical standalone energy storage project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the largest of its kind in the world by single-unit capacity, has been successfully connected to the grid.

The project provides strong support for the stable operation of a new-type power system and energy security.

Located deep in the Kubuqi Desert in Dalad Banner, the project was funded and built by CEEC Inner Mongolia Energy Storage Technology Co with a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($428.57 million).

Construction of the project began on June 28, and full-capacity grid connection was achieved in December – just over five months – setting a new benchmark for large-scale energy storage development.

Once operational, the project is expected to deliver about 1.2 billion kWh of clean electricity annually, equivalent to replacing 365,200 metric tons of standard coal and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 1 million tons per year. It will play a key role in promoting green development in Dalad Banner and advancing China's dual carbon goals.

The 1 GW/4 GWh project consists of two sub-projects and is part of the larger Gushanliang energy storage base, which has a planned total investment of 11.2 billion yuan and a total capacity of 3 GW/12.8 GWh. 

Several other storage projects at the site are under accelerated construction and are expected to be connected to the grid by the end of December. When completed, the combined storage capacity will reach 2.3 GW/9.2 GWh, effectively addressing the intermittency of renewable energy – acting like a "power bank" in the desert to store surplus green electricity and release it when needed.