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

A seven-month-old Bengal tiger cub at Shanghai Zoo has captured the hearts of zoogoers and internet users with its feathery fur and cheery personality after overcoming a challenging start in life.

Named Hong Tang, meaning brown sugar, the female cub has been charming visitors with her adorably round face, reddish-brown stripes, and endless playful antics.

"I came here just to see her today. When I see this tiger, I feel like I'm looking at a muscle man acting cute," said a zoo visitor.

"She's a hit on the internet. I saw that she has developed a personality, so I wanted to see her in person," said another visitor.

"She's so cute, just like a big kitty-cat. I would love to pet her," another visitor said.

The fluffy cub was born on August 10, 2024. Tragically, she was rejected by her mother, which would have been a death sentence in the wild. Thankfully, zoo staff were miraculously able to nurse her, bringing her into healthy adolescence.

"She has a lively personality and acts cute for you. Every time we enter, she will lie at the door with her little head sticking out and looking at us. She particularly likes to watch the two striped hyenas quarreling next door," said Jiang Wenting, a zookeeper and caretaker for the cub.

Hong Tang's favorite foods are chicken and beef, according to the zookeeper. 

"She is fluffy now. She loves chicken and beef. We also provide beef bones for her to bite," said Jiang.

At seven months old, the cub has reached the equivalent of eight or nine human years. Female tigers generally reach maturity at around three years old.

Tiger cub in Shanghai Zoo claws at heartstrings with struggle-to-stardom story