Construction begins on China's largest offshore solar project

The construction of a two-million-kilowatt floating, offshore solar project, the largest of its kind in China and another milestone in the country's green transformation efforts, officially commenced in Lianyungang City in east China's Jiangsu Province on Sunday, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said.

With an investment of 9.88 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars), the Tianwan two-million-kilowatt floating photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project in Lianyungang is expected to save around 680,000 tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.77 million tons annually, according to the CNNC.

The project built by CNNC, one of the country's largest nuclear power operators, is currently the largest three-dimensional layered sea-based solar farm in China, with an approved area of about 28,000 mu (1,867 hectares).

The project is located in the warm sea water area earmarked for the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang. While an area of the water is utilized for warm water discharge from the nuclear power plant, the neighboring area is designated for offshore PV construction. This design represents a cohesive and integrated use of marine resources.

"The photovoltaic power station is built at sea, not on land. A beachfront photovoltaic power station can generate more electricity with less land use, and it can easily connect with other industries. It can significantly increase power generation by 5 to 10 percent compared with a station on land," said Wang Zhigang, general manager of the CNNP Rich Energy Company, a CNNC subsidiary.

The two-million-kilowatt floating PV project is divided into two parts -- offshore and onshore. The offshore section comprises solar power generation, with the generated electricity transmitted to an onshore substation via an overhead corridor bridge and then fed into the state grid after voltage adjustment.

The onshore energy storage project is in its final construction phase and is expected to be completed and operational by the end of June.

Once built, the PV project will connect with the eight units of the Tianwan nuclear station to become a 10-million-kilowatt mega green energy base.

Construction begins on China's largest offshore solar project

Construction begins on China's largest offshore solar project

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brasilia on Wednesday, expressing the willingness to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation.

Lula said that Brazil and China have built strong mutual trust and deepened cooperation across various fields, showing that Brazil's steadfast friendship with China is the right choice and a model for South-South cooperation.

He said that he looks forward to maintaining close high-level exchanges with China, further strengthening economic and trade ties, and expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation in finance, energy and other fields.

China's firm and forceful countermeasures against the "reciprocal tariffs" is admirable, said the Brazilian president, noting that China's just actions have received widespread support while certain country's irresponsible and unilateral practices warrant joint resistance.

Brazil is willing to work with China to advocate free trade, defend international rules, and counter any power overriding international justice, the president added.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Brazil to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push for more outcomes in building a China-Brazil community with a shared future.

China will strengthen its cooperation with BRICS and Global South countries, adhere to multilateralism and safeguard international rules, he said.

On the same day, Wang attended the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Brasilia.

Brazilian president meets Chinese FM on closer ties, cooperation