The largest integrated hydro-solar power plant in the world, located in Sichuan province (southwest China), launched its first phase of construction on July 8, announced its operator Yalong River Hydropower Development Co Ltd.
Kela Photovoltaic Power Station is the first phase of the world’s largest complementary hydro-solar power station, Lianghekou-Yalong River Integrated Hydro-Solar Power Station, located on the Yalong River in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Tibetan Province. Sichuan (southwest China).
According to Yalong River Hydropower Development Co Ltd, a subsidiary of State Development & Investment Corp Ltd, the Kela PV plant, which has a total investment of more than 5.3 billion yuan ($790 million) and has a capacity installed capacity of one million kilowatts, is expected to be commissioned by 2023 with an average annual power generation capacity of 2 billion kilowatt hours. The power station is built at an altitude of around 4,000 to 4,600 meters and is one of the highest of its type in China.
Large-scale photovoltaic power generation usually occurs in the middle of the day while its generation capacity drops to zero at night, which will affect the smooth operation of a distribution network. However, the hydropower plant can help overcome the volatility and unpredictability of photovoltaic power generation, providing an innovative model for new energy production and consumption.
With its total installed capacity of 3 million kW, Lianghekou Hydropower Station is the largest reservoir hydropower station in Sichuan Province, with a total storage capacity of 10.8 billion cubic meters. The regulatory storage capacity is regarding 6.6 billion cubic meters and can play a key role in regulation and adjustment.