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In the golden dunes of the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, the aluminum of thousands of panels reflects the sun and transforms China’s landscape. There, the Kubuqi Desert has become one of the largest solar hubs on the planet.
For decades, the locals watched as overgrazing and rising temperatures degraded the land. Vegetation receded and the soil lost fertility, while the desert advanced unchecked.
However, in the last ten years, more than 46,000 hectares have been occupied by solar parks. Additionally, scientists have found that the panels act as shade and windbreaks, which helps to protect the grass and reduce erosion.
The transformation is not limited to Inner Mongolia. In provinces like Gansu and Xinjiang, extensive wind and solar bases produce enough electricity to supply millions of homes.
This drive responds to the goal announced by Xi Jinping before the United Nations in 2020: to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
According to data from the Global Energy Monitor, China’s solar capacity increased from just 0.1 GW in 2010 to 574 GW in 2026. Including smaller installations and residential rooftops, the total exceeds 1,000 GW, consolidating a global leadership.
The expansion of solar and wind energy offers multiple ecological advantages. Firstly, it reduces dependence on coal, responsible for a large part of carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally, it reduces urban air pollution, improves public health, and helps mitigate climate change. It also fosters technological innovation and generates jobs in strategic sectors like batteries and electric vehicles.
Moreover, green energy diversifies the energy matrix and strengthens supply security. Consequently, it allows for meeting the growth in electricity demand without proportionally increasing the use of fossil fuels.
However, the speed of the transition generates local tensions. In Yunnan, former tea crops have been replaced by solar installations, raising concerns about erosion and land use.
There are also questions about the mining of rare earths in Bayan Obo and the associated environmental impact. Added to this is the uncertainty about the future of communities linked to the coal industry.
An example of reconversion occurs in the province of Anhui, where former flooded mines have been transformed into floating solar parks. Thus, a territory degraded by fossil extraction now generates clean electricity for tens of thousands of homes, symbolizing the complex but decisive Chinese energy transition.
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Director/Propietario:
Luis Pavesio
Registro DNDA en trámite
Fecha: 01/03/2026
N° de Edición: 4900
2022 © Noticias Ambientales | Todos los derechos reservados.
