The project is located in Gerze county of Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, at an altitude of 4,400 meters. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A 420-megawatt (MW) solar-plus-storage power station on the high-altitude Changtang grassland has begun full-capacity operations, supported by energy storage battery systems manufactured in Longyan, Fujian province.

The first phase of the integrated energy station, located in Gerze county of Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, achieved full-capacity grid connection on June 30. Developed by Zijin Longking, the project reached full operation in just over seven months, nearly one month ahead of schedule.

The power station combines 420 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity with 1,650 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage. The battery cabins, assembled in Longyan, were designed to operate in extreme plateau conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius and low atmospheric pressure.

Battery cells undergo 86 inspection procedures covering 2,856 testing parameters before being assembled into battery modules at an automated factory in Longyan's Xinluo district.

The completed cabins integrate battery packs with thermal management, fire protection, and power distribution systems and then undergo full charge-discharge tests that simulate operating conditions at the project site.

The project represents an investment of more than 2.3 billion yuan ($338.18 million). Once fully operational, it is expected to supply more than 700 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 456,000 metric tons a year while providing stable power for mineral extraction in the region.