An aerial view of the 500 kV new energy transmission and transformation project in Arun Banner. [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/provided to goinnermongolia.com.cn]

The 500-kilovolt new energy transmission and transformation project in Arun Banner, Hulunbuir city, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was put into operation on Dec 3. 

It is a supporting facility for China's third batch of large-scale wind and solar bases in barren Gobi Desert.

Construction of the project began in August 2024 and the total investment reached 730 million yuan ($104.29 million).

It includes a newly built 500 kV substation equipped with three 1,200 megavolt-ampere main transformers and covering a total area of 3,398 square meters.

A night view of the 500 kV new energy transmission and transformation project. [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/provided to goinnermongolia.com.cn]

It also features a 95.50-kilometer single-circuit 500 kV overhead line from Arun Banner to Lingdong region, supported by 227 towers.

The project is able to deliver 4.49 billion kilowatt-hour of green electricity annually – equivalent to the yearly household consumption of 3.74 million families – saving 1.35 million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 3.50 million tons each year.

The project will also provide stable power support for green industrial development in Arun Banner and the Lingdong region, improving grid capacity and reliability while accelerating the shift toward cleaner, greener energy use.

Employees coordinate the commissioning of the main transformer from the central control room. [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/provided to goinnermongolia.com.cn]