Sichuan’s First Grid-Forming Energy Storage Solar Plant Goes Online
On March 12, the first 52.8-megawatt unit of the Huadian New Energy Hongyuan Anqu Phase I Solar Project was successfully connected to the grid, marking the official launch of Sichuan’s first grid-forming energy storage solar power plant.
Source: Sichuan News Network
On March 12, the first 52.8-megawatt unit of the Huadian New Energy Hongyuan Anqu Phase I Solar Project was successfully connected to the grid, marking the official launch of Sichuan’s first grid-forming energy storage solar power plant.
Located in Hongyuan County, Aba Prefecture, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, the project has a total installed capacity of 250 megawatts. It consists of 76 photovoltaic array zones and 450,000 solar panels. The plant is paired with a 50-megawatt/100-megawatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery storage system, capable of charging or discharging 100,000 kilowatt-hours within two hours. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate 450 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to power 210,000 households—while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 400,000 tons per year, the equivalent of planting nearly 20 million trees.
“If traditional grid-following energy storage acts like a ‘regulator’ for power plants, grid-forming energy storage is more like a ‘stabilizer’ that strengthens the grid’s security and reliability,” explained Zhu Fukang, Deputy Director of the Production and Technology Department at Sichuan Huadian Jinchuan Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. He noted that this advanced technology not only improves the integration of renewable energy into the grid but also provides short-term overload capacity, helping restore operations during disruptions.
A project spokesperson added that the plant follows an innovative “solar +” model that integrates power generation with local land use. The solar panels are mounted at least two meters above the ground, ensuring efficient energy production while allowing space for livestock grazing. This approach creates a sustainable “power above, pasture below” system. Additionally, the project includes an intelligent greenhouse for alpine meadow conservation, covering more than 18,000 square meters. It also leverages the region’s abundant sunlight to explore applications such as solar-powered clean heating and hydrogen production, further expanding the renewable energy value chain.
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