Cracking the Difficulties of Power Transmission in Inner Mongolia, Dream of Inner Mongolia “Wind Power Three Gorges” Shines into Reality

Inner Mongolia is a large wind energy province, and its wind resources account for about one-third of the country's total. As of the end of March 2011, the installed capacity of wind power in Inner Mongolia was 11.4 million kilowatts, which accounted for more than 30% of the installed capacity of wind power in the country, and ranked first in all provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China.

However, for a long time in the past, the huge advantages of wind power, the pursuit of capital, and the strong support of the local government have still been difficult to effectively break through the bottleneck of the industry itself. Therefore, for the promulgation of the "Several Opinions on Further Promoting Sound and Rapid Economic and Social Development in Inner Mongolia", the capital, market, and industry have high hopes.

The grid-connected bottleneck of “Three Gorges Wind Power” follows the strategic plan of Inner Mongolia. At the end of the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”, the installed capacity of wind power will reach about 20 million kilowatts, which will be comparable to the installed capacity of the Three Gorges Power Station and will achieve the goal of “Wind Power Three Gorges”. For a time, the articles describing Inner Mongolia's grand blueprint for the “Three Gorges of Wind Power” appeared in newspapers.

In fact, the development of the wind power industry has brought great benefits to the Inner Mongolian economy, especially in terms of energy conservation and emission reduction. Data show that in 2010, wind power generation in Inner Mongolia was 19.924 billion kilowatts, which is equivalent to about 19.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power generators, 100,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, about 7 million tons of diligent coal, and 8.96 million tons of water.

However, Zhao Yan, member of the Wind Power Experts Group of the Inner Mongolia Development and Reform Commission and deputy director of the Wulanchabu Wind Power Office, once said in an interview with the media: “If there is no solution to the Internet problem, Inner Mongolia, which accounts for one-third of all wind resources in the country, has little room for development. Mengxi has no Internet access at all, and Mengdong Wind Power is looking to the northeastern power grid, and it may not be insured. There is also wind power pressure on the Northeast.

When Zhao Qi made a statement, he not only pushed the topic of wind power grid connection to the cusp of the wind, but also placed the risk of the “Wind Power Three Gorges” dream to become a real one in front of everyone.

For example, Zhao Lan stated that the city of Ulanqab, which accounts for one-third of Inner Mongolia's wind resources, was able to expand its installed capacity to 2.4 million kilowatts in 2009 according to its planning and actual development capabilities. However, due to the limited access to wind power, it has already been completed. The installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts for all previous work cannot be started.

At present, it is generally accepted in the industry that the main reason why the grid restricts the use of wind power to access the Internet is that wind power is sometimes unavailable, strong or weak, and it has an impact on the power grid. However, some industry insiders who declined to be named told reporters that “grid companies have a lack of enthusiasm for new energy generation, especially new energy generation outside their own systems.”

The “Opinions” accurately attacked wind power grid connection difficulties. In fact, the difficulties encountered by the wind power industry in Inner Mongolia are universal across the country. According to the Research Report on the Development of Wind Power in China published by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, it is currently difficult for the nationwide wind farms to operate and even losses, and nearly one third of the wind turbines are idle.

For the issue of wind power grid integration in Inner Mongolia, the “Opinions” pointed out that “it will be included in the overall plan for the construction of national power grids in Inner Mongolia and will be prioritized for construction. Acceleration of coal-fired power generation bases in Inner Mongolia, Hulunbeier, etc. to North China, Central China, East China, The preparatory work of the northeast power transmission channel demonstrated the construction of long-distance large-capacity high-voltage transmission lines from Xilin Gol to Nanjing, improved the backbone network of 500 kV, expanded the coverage of the power grid, and actively promoted urban and rural power grid renovation projects. Send part of wind power, expand the scale of the grid to accept wind power, build peaking power supply, and formulate plans for wind power consumption."

In addition, the "Opinions" are still actively constructing a diversified modern industrial system and put forward the proposal to build 20 million kilowatt-class wind power bases in Mengxi and Mengdong. “This shows that the country has strongly supported the strategic goal of the “Three Gorges Wind Power Project” in Inner Mongolia. For the national wind power industry, it has solved the grid connection problem in Inner Mongolia. Its exemplary significance is immeasurable.” The above-mentioned industry sources believe.