The Kubuqi Desert 4-million-kilowatt renewable energy transmission project in Ordos city, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, completed its first crossing over an electrified railway on Sept 26.

The milestone marks the completion of a key construction task and puts the project on track for completion and operation by year-end.

This marked the project's first crossing involving an electrified railway. To minimize disruption to rail operations, the project team spent three months refining the construction plan, conducting on-site surveys, and optimizing lifting and safety procedures.

With a total investment of 1.94 billion yuan ($289.55 million), the project is a key supporting facility for the West Inner Mongolia — Tianjin South ultra-high-voltage transmission project. It comprises the construction of two 500-kilovolt substations, 279 kilometers of 500-kV transmission lines, and 340 transmission towers.

Construction began on Dec 8, 2025. Tower assembly, line installation, and substation equipment installation and commissioning are nearing completion.

Once operational, the project is expected to deliver 14 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, helping meet growing power demand and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.4 million metric tons a year.

The project will also enhance Ordos' capacity to collect and transmit renewable energy, while supporting energy security, economic development, and ecological restoration in the Kubuqi Desert.