Chinais building a €87 billion solar megaproject in theKubuqi Desert, Inner Mongolia, aiming to transform one of the nation’s harshest landscapes into a global model for renewable energy. Spanning400 kilometersin length and up to5 kilometerswide, the so-calledSolar Great Wallis designed to reach a100-gigawattcapacity by 2030—enough to powerBeijingand neighboring provinces.
Initially dubbed a “sea of death” for its barren dunes, the Kubuqi Desert is now seeing rapid installation ofphotovoltaic panels, facilitated by flat terrain, high solar irradiance, and proximity to industrial hubs likeBaotouandBayannur. The site currently hosts 5.4 GW in installed capacity, according to Chinese officials.
In addition to energy production, the project supportsecological restoration, stabilizing dunes and encouraging vegetation growth under panel shade. TheJunma Solar Power Station, completed in 2019, symbolizes this transformation and holds aGuinness World Recordfor the largest image formed by solar panels.
According toGlobal Energy Monitor, China had 386.9 GW of operational solar capacity by June 2024—51% of the global total—far ahead of theUnited StatesandIndia.
The initiative reflects China’s dual strategy of renewable energy leadership and land rehabilitation, positioning the country as a global clean energy powerhouse.