China Three Gorges has commissioned the world’s largest hybrid solar plant which is a 1 GW hybrid concentrated solar power and photovoltaic complex. The plant was commissioned in Hami, Xinjiang and is described as the world’s largest integrated facility of its kind. Before this achievement, the world’s largest solar plant of its kind was in the UAE. The Noor Energy 1 project has a total capacity of 950 MW, of which 700 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) and 250 MW of PV. The project is located in 1,817 hectares of desert at the southern foot of Tianshan mountains.
Moreover, it comprises a 100 MW linear Fresnel CSP plant with 8 hours of molten salt storage and 900 MW of solar PV. With average annual sunshine exceeding 3,000 hours, the region offers optimal conditions for large-scale solar development. The project’s construction began in 2023, PV section was completed and grid-connected by the end of 2024. On the other hand, the thermal plant entered full operation in September 2025. This was a monumental achievement as it was done 42 days ahead of schedule. Total investment amounts to CNY 3.53 billion ($480 million).
China Energy Engineering’s Northwest Institute and other domestic suppliers provided core EPC services and technical systems. Three Gorges Group plans to expand the Hami base to 3GW in a second phase and replicate the model across resource-rich provinces. These includes provinces such as Inner Mongolia and Gansu. Analysts say such integrated projects could become a vital pillar to China’s long-term energy transition. Furthermore, it offers a scalable pathway for desert solar development and grid stability.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Commissioned by China Three Gorges as the world’s largest hybrid solar integrated plant.
- Delivers 1 GW capacity via concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV).
- Expected to supply 2.07 TWh annually, powering 830,000 households and saving 1.63 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
Infrastructure:
- Located in Hami, Xinjiang, on 1,817 hectares of desert land at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.
- Includes 100 MW linear Fresnel CSP with 8 hours molten salt storage and 900 MW of PV capacity.
- Made up of 260,000 curved reflectors, 800,000 sq. m absorber tubes, and molten salt heated to 550°C for stable storage.
Developer/Consortium:
- Led by China Three Gorges Group.
- EPC and technical systems supplied by China Energy Engineering’s Northwest Institute and other domestic suppliers.
- On China’s national list of advanced low-carbon demonstration projects.
Funding/Timeline:
- Total investment: CNY 3.53 billion (US$480 million).
- Construction commenced in 2023, PV field completed and grid-connected in end-2024.
- Thermal plant online in September 2025, 42 days ahead of schedule.
- Expansion plans to expand Hami base to 3 GW in Phase 2 and replicate model in Inner Mongolia and Gansu.
The State of Affairs Regarding the World’s Largest Hybrid Solar Plant
The world’s largest hybrid solar plant is an engineering marvel based on how the facility is designed to operate. The thermal plant deploys 260,000 high-precision curved reflectors focusing sunlight onto 800,000 sq. m of absorber tubes. In turn, this heats the molten salt to 550 C. The design improves heat conversion efficiency by up to 10% compared with conventional Fresnel systems. A 46-loop configuration allows continued operation during maintenance. Moreover, innovations in salt circulation enable reliable performance in winter conditions reaching minus 20°C. The hybrid system is also designed to provide continuous power supply. During the day, the PV field generates electricity at full load while simultaneously charging the thermal storage system. At night or in low-light conditions, the stored heat drives steam turbines to deliver stable generation.
A centralized control platform allocates output between PV and thermal resources with frequency regulation accuracy of around 0.02Hz and response times under one second. The facility is expected to produce around 2.07 TWh of electricity annually at full capacity. Based on this, it is enough to power 830,000 households. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.63 million tons per year. The plant will play a role in improving grid integration of renewables in Xinjiang, lifting regional utilization rates above 95%. Beijing has identified hybrid projects combining PV with thermal storage as a strategic technology for balancing intermittent renewables.
The Hami plant also sets global benchmarks in Fresnel deployment and molten salt performance. Furthermore, it is included in China’s national list of advanced low-carbon demonstration projects. China Three Gorges Group have been elemental in energy projects as they endeavor to deliver projects that surpass the world’s best. An example of this is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, The Tibet dam, that has already commenced construction.
