The Tibet Zabuye 40MW CSP project, located on the southeast side of Zabuye Salt Lake in Tibet, has successfully achieved simultaneous heat storage and power generation, marking its full operation. This project, undertaken by Shandong Electric Power Construction Company No. 3, is the world’s first high-altitude, grid-end CSP project. Situated at an altitude of over 4,500 meters, it uses a trough CSP station as the main power source to provide a clean energy isolated-grid operation, offering a reliable 24/7 energy supply.
The project integrates a thermal and electrical energy isolated-grid system, comprising a 40-MW trough CSP station, a 35-MW photovoltaic power station, and 20-40 MWh of electrochemical energy storage. This innovative system enables the project to provide a comprehensive, safe, and stable energy supply. The CSP project is aligned with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for sustainable energy development and supports lithium extraction from salt lakes, driving economic growth in Tibet while delivering significant environmental and social benefits.
The project’s successful operation demonstrates the feasibility of high-altitude energy infrastructure and advances solar thermal technology in extreme environments. Despite the challenges of extreme altitude, harsh climate, and logistical constraints, the project was completed in just over a year, providing critical insights for future high-altitude clean energy projects. As Shandong Electric Power Construction Third Engineering Co., Ltd.’s first large-scale EPC project in Tibet and its inaugural domestic parabolic trough solar thermal plant, this initiative showcases the company’s capabilities in developing and executing complex energy projects in challenging environments.
The Zabuye Salt Lake, where the project is located, is a high-altitude salt lake known for its high concentration of lithium, making it an ideal location for lithium extraction. The project’s success is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and environment, while also contributing to China’s transition to a more sustainable energy mix. Overall, the Tibet Zabuye 40MW CSP project is a significant milestone in the development of high-altitude clean energy projects and a testament to the potential of solar thermal technology in extreme environments.