On June 16, 2026, the CGN Golmud 350 MW solar thermal demonstration project began construction in the Wutumeiren Photovoltaic Thermal Park in Golmud City, Qinghai Province. As the world's largest single unit thermal storage capacity and mirror field area solar thermal power plant, this project adopts the technology route of molten salt tower tank combination, realizing the large-scale application of China General Nuclear Power's independently developed 8.6-meter solar thermal molten salt tank collector equipment and process, which is the world's largest opening. It will provide a replicable and promotable solution for the large-scale development of China's solar thermal industry.

Rendering of CGN Golmud 350 MW Solar Thermal Demonstration Project

The total daylighting area of the CGN Golmud 350 MW solar thermal demonstration project's mirror field is 3.7 million square meters, including three 1.1 million square meter tower mirror fields and one 400000 square meter trough mirror field.

It is reported that the trough type heat collection technology can achieve stable operation from an inlet temperature of 290 degrees Celsius to an outlet temperature of 550 degrees Celsius, with an energy storage temperature difference of 260 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 times that of traditional thermal oil systems. The core components of its entire equipment are all developed by domestic industrial chain advantage enterprises led by CGN, achieving 100% independent and controllable core technology.Editor/Gong Ziwei