Source: China Solar Thermal Alliance:
The core heat absorption system installation has been successfully completed for the Tibet Development & Investment Anduo Tushuo 100 MW tower solar thermal project, constructed by POWERCHINA SEPCO1 in Tibet. (Map)
All 16 solar receiver tube panels have been hoisted into position atop the tower. The hoisting operation presented extreme challenges due to the complex equipment structure and stringent precision requirements.
Each individual tube panel weighs approximately 14.9 tonnes, with the lifting center reaching a height of 210 meters and the hoisting apex approaching an altitude of 4,900 meters — making the construction both highly difficult and risky.
To ensure efficient progress, the project team meticulously coordinated the construction schedule, strictly upheld quality and safety standards, and carefully assessed plateau wind conditions and weather changes. A specialized hoisting construction plan was developed, and the entire construction process was rigorously controlled to ensure each tube panel was positioned with precision and secured reliably.
The complete hoisting of all receiver tube panels was accomplished in just 7 days, laying a solid foundation for subsequent equipment installation, system commissioning, and scheduled commercial operation.
Ando Tushuo is the world’s highest-altitude and Tibet’s first tower solar thermal project. The plant employs molten salt technology supplying a thermal storage duration of at least 8 hours. Its solar field comprises 15,927 pentagonal heliostats with a total mirror field aperture area of no less than 800,000 square meters.
Upon completion and commissioning, the project is expected to generate 260 million kWh of clean electricity annually, saving 60,000 tonnes of standard coal and reducing COâ‚‚ emissions by 165,000 tonnes per year. It will effectively address the stability power supply gap in northern Tibet’s grid, further optimize Tibet’s new energy industry layout, enhance regional clean energy storage and supply capacity, and support the large-scale development of plateau clean energy and green low-carbon transition — injecting strong momentum into regional high-quality economic development and ecological environmental protection.
