The Mengxi Lanhai Solar Power Station in Otog Front Banner. [Photo/Nuan News]

In the heart of the Mu Us Sandy Land, Ordos' Otog Front Banner is witnessing a rapid energy transformation. Once barren land now hosts thriving solar power farms, marking a significant shift towards green energy.

Located at the intersection of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Shaanxi province, and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Otog Front Banner has transformed 1.27 million mu (84,666.67 hectares) of exposed sandy land into a hub for solar power development.

The Mengxi Lanhai Solar Power Station of GD Power Development Co is a key player in this transformation. It boasts an installed capacity of 3 million kilowatts, spanning 105,000 mu and including over 5.9 million solar panels – equivalent to the area of 10,000 standard soccer fields.

A spokesperson from GD Power Inner Mongolia Integrated Energy stated that the station is nearly complete, capable of generating 5.7 billion kWh annually. This will reduce standard coal consumption by 1.71 million metric tons and carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4.7 million tons, akin to planting 940,000 mu of forest. Remarkably, the project was constructed in just over 300 days.

Beneath the solar panels, drought-resistant plants flourish, with sheep and cattle grazing in the shade. The site has been seeded with 2,300 kilograms of grass seeds, covering about 2,100 mu. Future plans include integrating "solar-agriculture" and "solar-pasture" models, enhancing local agriculture and tourism.