China's first million-kilowatt clean energy project combining solar power generation, thermal energy storage, and electric-to-heat conversion has been successfully connected to the grid, according to CCTV.

The Qinghai Gonghe million-kilowatt solar-plus-thermal project achieved grid connection on October 1, marking a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy development.

By operating solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal systems in a coupled manner, the project stores daytime solar energy to provide power support during evening peak demand periods.

This approach advances the transition of new energy from weather-dependent generation toward supplying electricity based on grid demand.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to deliver an average annual on-grid electricity output of 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours.

It is projected to save approximately 690,000 tonnes of standard coal each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 2.07 million tonnes annually.