Overview
Wuwei II is a 50 MW operational solar PV facility located in Gansu Province, China. The plant contributes to China's renewable energy capacity, supporting the country's ambitious solar power targets.
Wuwei II is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Gansu Province, China, near the city of Wuwei. With a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), it falls within the medium-scale range for solar PV facilities in China, where large-scale plants often exceed 100 MW. The plant is operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy generation. China is the world's largest solar energy market, driven by national policies such as the Renewable Energy Law and the 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy, which aims to increase non-fossil fuel energy consumption to 25% by 2030. Solar PV plants like Wuwei II benefit from feed-in tariffs and grid integration support, though curtailment remains a challenge in some regions. The plant's location in Gansu, a province with high solar irradiance, is typical for utility-scale solar development. Environmentally, Wuwei II helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing coal-fired power, which dominates China's energy mix. The facility occupies land that may have been previously used for agriculture or desert, and its operation avoids water consumption compared to thermal plants. The plant supports local energy needs and contributes to China's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Environmental context
The Wuwei II solar PV plant is situated in Gansu Province, a region with abundant solar resources and arid landscapes. Solar farms in this area can have land-use impacts, potentially affecting local ecosystems or agricultural land. However, they produce no air emissions or water consumption during operation, offering a clean alternative to coal power. The facility's location in a high-insolation zone maximizes energy generation efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
Wuwei II is located in Gansu Province, China, near the city of Wuwei, at coordinates 38.107 N, 102.310 E.
Wuwei II has a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
Yes, Wuwei II is currently operational and generating electricity from solar energy.
China's solar energy development is supported by the Renewable Energy Law, feed-in tariffs, and the 14th Five-Year Plan, which targets 25% non-fossil fuel energy by 2030.
By generating clean electricity, Wuwei II reduces reliance on coal power, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and supporting China's carbon neutrality target for 2060.