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China Inaugurates World’s First Solar Thermal Power Station in Gobi Desert

International | Dated: 11 Oct 2025

In October 2025, China inaugurated the world’s first solar thermal power station in the Gobi Desert, Gansu Province. Developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, the plant marks a significant breakthrough in solar thermal technology, featuring two towers channeling energy into a single turbine.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The power station uses around 27,000 mirrors to focus sunlight onto two 200-meter-high towers spaced about one kilometre apart, maximizing solar energy capture.
  • - The concentrated heat reaches up to 570°C (1,058°F), storing energy to produce steam that drives turbines, allowing electricity generation even after sunset or during cloudy periods.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The station contributes to China’s ambition to exceed 1,200 Gigawatt (GW) of combined wind and solar energy capacity by 2030.
  • (ii) The world’s largest operational solar thermal complex currently is the 700-megawatt (MW) Noor Energy 1 project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, which country inaugurated the world’s first solar thermal power station in the Gobi Desert?

Correct Answer: China

🚀 Quick Recap:

About China

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Capital: Beijing