Chinese oil giant connects 40MW solar agrivoltaic project to the grid

China National Offshore Oil Corporation Limited or CNOOC has announced that its first centralised solar photovoltaic project is connected to the grid and generating power.

CNOOC’s Animal Husbandry-solar complementary project is based in Hezuo City, Gannan Autonomous Prefecture in the Gansu Province of China.

It’s situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters, covers an area of approximately 930,000 square meters, and has a total installed capacity of 40MW, supported by a 6MW/12 MWh energy storage facility.

The project can save more than 20,000 tonnes of coal each year, according to CNOOC.

The project has been built with tall racks and no fence to enable the integration of green energy and animal husbandry by using the upper space for solar photovoltaic power generation and the meadow for grazing at the same time.

According to CNOOC, the project will bring more income to local farmers and herdsmen, and help to optimise local energy and industrial structures while effectively contributing to rural revitalization in the long run.

Mr. Zhou Xinhuai, CEO and president of CNOOC, said, “CNOOC Limited actively explores the development of new energy sector and new industries. The Animal Husbandry-solar Complementary Project levers local resources and advantages to practice the integration mode of new energy + rural special industries…”

CNOOC is one of the largest offshore crude oil and natural gas producers in China and one of the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies. Its main business is the exploration, development, production and sales of crude oil and natural gas.