5 China Resources Power projects in Cangnan, Dengfeng, Hezhou, Jinzhou, and Ningwu win at Asian Power Awards 2024

The power company’s achievement was in recognition of the significant milestones of its power plants and wind farm project.

China Resources Power (CR Power) championed excellence at the Asian Power Awards 2024 as it took home a total of five wins for five of its projects. 

These victories include the Wind Power Project of the Year - China category for its Cangnan Project; the Standby Power Plant of the Year - Gold category for its Dengfeng Project; Biomass  Power Project of the Year - Gold for its Hezhou Project; Environmental Upgrade of the Year - China for its Jinzhou Project; and Coal Power Project of the Year - Bronze for its Ningwu Project. 

Cangnan project: Innovative approach for more generation in existing wind conditions 

The Cangnan Project is China’s first offshore wind grid-parity project and the China Resources Group’s inaugural domestic offshore wind farm. It represents a critical step forward in advancing the offshore wind industry in China, with the Cangnan facility having established itself as one of the leaders in the pursuit of offshore wind grid parity. The company is driving the project forward through a combination of technological innovation, strategic investment planning, and scientific analysis. These efforts have not only fostered the healthy development of offshore wind farms but have also strengthened the company’s competitive edge in grid parity wind construction by leveraging its extensive engineering experience. 

As the first offshore wind grid-parity project in China, Cangnan Project is poised to lead the way in promoting grid-parity construction and facilitating the overall growth of the offshore wind sector. The project also represents a groundbreaking application of large-size wind turbine units utilising a full single-pile foundation model in complex maritime environments. This project confronts some of the most challenging maritime conditions in China, including thick silt layers and intricate construction scenarios.

Furthermore, Cangnan Project is notable for being the first project in the Zhejiang maritime area to successfully employ 10-megawatt-class wind turbines equipped with large blades. The design includes extended turbine blades that enhance the swept area, significantly improving power generation efficiency at existing wind speeds. This innovative approach has positioned the wind farm as one of the leaders in the commercial and large-scale application of turbines. 

Dengfeng Project: Cost-effective flexibility enhancement technology for lower carbon  emission 

In response to government mandates for dual-carbon targets, the installation capacity for new energy sources like wind and solar power has surged. This has significantly accelerated the transition to clean and low-carbon electric power systems, which then increased the demands on the peaking shaving of coal-fired power generation units. 

As the frequency and depth of peak loads rise, the unpredictability associated with peaking becomes more complex, requiring coal-fired plants to actively engage in peak loading to support the integration of new energy sources into the grid. To address these challenges in Dengfeng Project, a low-cost flexibility enhancement technology, has been independently  developed for domestic power generation units, achieving “high returns with lower  investments.”  

In 2023, the unit’s depth of peaking reached the first in Henan Grid and the leading level in  China and met the expected goal, which strongly promoted the new energy consumption of  Henan Power Grid and made a great contribution to the improvement of the company's operating performance. The second phase of the unit in 2023 helped with new energy consumption and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 360,000 tons, making a significant contribution to the company's overall performance and the sustainable development of Henan  Power Grid. 

Hezhou Project: The biomass-coal coupling incineration power generation project 

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Hezhou Project installed two ultra-supercritical coal-fired power generation units which have been operational since 2012. 

In 2021, the company enhanced its environmental initiatives by constructing a biomass co-firing system capable of incorporating 100,000 tons of biomass fuel annually. This system is designed to replace approximately 28,600 tons of standard coal, resulting in a reduction of around 72,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The project not only contributes to the company's operational efficiency but also supports rural revitalisation efforts as well as the achievement of China’s goals for carbon peak and carbon neutrality. 

This project effectively leverages the advanced environmental facilities of the power plant by utilising a system that crushes and transports local agricultural and forestry waste into the furnace for co-firing with coal. Such an approach adheres to ultra-low emission standards and plays a crucial role in managing agricultural and forestry biomass waste in the surrounding areas. By integrating business operations with local development, the project facilitates the  reduction, innocuous treatment, and resource utilisation of bulk solid waste, promoting large scale waste disposal. 

Jinzhou Project: Solid waste recycling and comprehensive disposal 

The CR Power’s Jinzhou Project is located in Xinglong Street, Taihe District, Jinzhou City,  Liaoning Province. It operates two ultra-supercritical coal-fired power generation and heating units. To actively respond to the national “Carbon Peak Action Program by 2030” and seize the source of resource synergistic utilisation, CR Power carried out field research and investigation in the northeast region to find ways for ecological environment preservation and established the first solid waste disposal centre in Northeast China. 

By constructing facilities such as dissolving pools, mixers, slurry pumps, roller screens, and buffer pools, the company has integrated these resources into its slurry supply system. These then enable the comprehensive utilisation of white mud and carbide slag as substitutes for conventional limestone powder in flue gas wet desulfurisation. 

In February 2023, the unloading system underwent a technological upgrade that enhanced solid waste unloading efficiency. Filters were installed in the slurry conveying system to reduce impurities and improve system stability. This solid waste comprehensive utilisation project aligns with the national “14th Five-Year Plan” and supports the dual carbon goals with an annual capacity to process 50,000 tons of carbide slag and 40,000 tons of white mud. 

This initiative saves approximately 63,000 tons of limestone resources and reduces CO2  emissions by 20,000 tons—a significant contribution to national strategies aimed at minimising mineral resource consumption and optimising energy production.

After over three years of operation, it has matured technologically and has yielded notable social and economic benefits. It has been invited many times to share its practical experience in technical exchanges and can be promoted as a benchmark demonstration base for solid waste co-utilisation in the industry and in the three eastern provinces, helping to achieve the national dual-carbon goal. 

Ningwu Project: Accelerating community’s energy efficiency and economy 

China Resources Power’s Ningwu Project is situated in Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi  Province, an area designated by the government as one of the five major coal-power bases.  The company is currently managing two ultra-supercritical power generation units that utilise low-calorific value coal and provide heating services for local residents. Alongside the ongoing construction of a wind power farm and a photovoltaic project, the company is developing an integrated energy system that combines wind, solar, and coal power. 

These efforts have not only revitalised the regional economy but also promoted local enterprise development and enhanced resource sharing. Additionally, the project has revitalised small and medium-sized enterprises in the vicinity, creating employment opportunities for thousands of residents, and helping Ningwu County consistently rank amongst the top three in GDP within Xinzhou City. 

Committed to the principles of dual carbon goals, the project has prioritised green and low carbon development, investing over RMB400m in environmental protection initiatives. This investment has resulted in ultra-low emissions and the improvement of environmental quality.  The facility achieves "zero" wastewater discharge, with all rainwater recycled and reused;  reclaimed water serves as the main resource for production activities, promoting both environmental protection and energy conservation. The primary unit employs direct air cooling technology, which saves 65% to 70% more water compared to traditional wet cooling systems. 

The project utilises two ultra-supercritical once-through reheat flow boilers and allocated over RMB8m in 2023 for energy-saving desulfurisation upgrades. In 2023, coal consumption for power generation was significantly below the third-level limit for energy consumption in combined heat and power generation. With technological advancements, the energy utilisation efficiency of the project has been greatly increased. This also positioned the city’s electric power industry for high-quality development. 

The prestigious Asian Power Awards honours exceptional companies that have taken game changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis and meet the growing demand for  energy. It also provides a platform for industry players to network, share their experiences,  and learn from one another.

The Asian Power Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the power industry in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].