How China Is Turning the Deserts of Inner Mongolia Green

 Inner Mongolia, once known for its vast stretches of dry, sandy land, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Thanks to innovative projects that combine solar power generation with desert control, the region is being reborn as a green valley — bringing both ecological and economic benefits.


Solar Power Meets Desert Greening

In the Keyouzhong Banner project (Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia) led by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are installed above the ground while drought-resistant plants such as ryegrass, foxtail grass, and alfalfa grow underneath.

This unique model provides a dual advantage:

  • Prevents desertification by stabilizing the soil with vegetation.

  • Creates a microclimate as the solar panels provide shade and reduce evaporation, helping plants thrive.

  • Generates clean energy with an installed capacity of 300 MW, plus 45 MW of energy storage.

As a result, vegetation coverage in the area has risen from below 50% to more than 70%, while the project reduces 350,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

A Sustainable Eco-Economic Model

Beyond electricity production, the projects also support farming and livestock raising beneath the solar panels, giving local communities new income streams.

In Tongliao City, authorities have introduced innovative tree-planting techniques to accelerate land restoration:

  • Moist sand planting: seedlings are placed in damp sand with concave barriers that trap rainwater and shield against strong desert winds.

  • Higher survival rates: tree survival has increased from about 50% to over 90%.

  • Efficient water use: irrigation needs have been cut by more than half.

  • Year-round planting: trees can now be planted in all seasons, overcoming the traditional spring-only limitation.

Since 2013, these methods have restored over 40,000 hectares of desert land. To date, Tongliao has successfully rehabilitated over 1.33 million hectares of degraded sandy soil. Forest coverage has risen from just 8.9% in 1978 to nearly 20%, while grassland coverage has reached close to 65%.

The “Golden Key” of Green Energy

The success story of Inner Mongolia demonstrates that green energy is the “golden key” to balancing environmental conservation with economic development. By integrating renewable energy with ecological restoration, China is not only combating desertification but also creating a sustainable future for its people.

source: CGTN, Chinafrica

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