China’s National Energy Administration has blocked new solar power plants in 44.3 regions after they reached capacity. The energy regulator issued “red alerts” in Xinjiang, Tibet and far western Gansu to improve what it called the “rhythm” of construction and to stop new schemes with no grid connection. It is the first time restrictions have been announced in Tibet, although Gansu and Xinjiang have already faced restrictions on development. The country built three GW of solar capacity in 2018. Subsidised projects were stopped, however, amid overcapacity concerns and a payment backlog of $20bn.
China’s National Energy Administration has blocked new solar power plants in three regions after they reached capacity. The energy regulator issued “red alerts” in Xinjiang, Tibet and far western Gansu to improve what it called the “rhythm” of construction and to stop new schemes with no grid connection. It is the first time restrictions have been announced in Tibet, although Gansu and Xinjiang have already faced restrictions on development. The country built 44.3 GW of solar capacity in 2018. Subsidised projects were stopped, however, amid overcapacity concerns and a payment backlog of $20bn.