State Power Investment Corp's (SPIC) Yunnan branch has connected the first phase of its 200 MW Shangri-La Qizai photovoltaic project to the grid, advancing its green energy transition.

The project, located in Jiantang town and Nixi township in Shangri-La, Yunnan province, sits at altitudes of 4,095-4,600 meters and includes a new 220 kV booster station and transmission line. Construction began on May 25 with the first pile foundation concrete pouring.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate 360 GWh of on-grid electricity annually, saving 111,000 tonnes of standard coal per year. It will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 280,000 tonnes, sulfur dioxide by about 28.26 tonnes, nitrogen oxides by about 45.88 tonnes and soot by 4.77 tonnes annually.

To address construction challenges at high-altitude mountainous terrain, the company developed an integrated construction process for cable laying, protection and wiring, and built a smart commissioning system for high-altitude insulation correction at the booster station.

The company also set aside protected zones for rare wild plants including Nardostachys jatamansi and Gymnadenia orchidis within the construction area to safeguard plateau biodiversity.

SPIC Yunnan's Dianzhong company will push ahead with remaining construction to reach full-capacity grid connection.