The Gobi Renewed: International Experience Ambassadors Discover Wuwei’s “Turning Sand into Gold with Electricity” Initiative

The vast Gobi Desert once echoed with the sound of camel bells along the ancient Silk Road. Today, it is writing a new chapter in its history. Greenery is emerging beneath rows of photovoltaic panels, clean energy is flowing across the desert, and what was once a barren landscape is being transformed through innovation into a place where ecological restoration and industrial development go hand in hand.

On June 24, international experience ambassadors participating in the “Silk Road IP, Opportunities in China” International Online Communication Campaign visited China Huadian Corporation Ltd.‘s Jiuduntan Photovoltaic Sand Control Demonstration Park in Wuwei to explore the region’s desert energy ecosystem. Amid stretches of sand, greenery, and solar arrays, they witnessed how ecological restoration and renewable energy are working together to breathe new life into the Gobi Desert and empower the Silk Road.

China Huadian Corporation Ltd.’s Jiuduntan Photovoltaic Sand Control Demonstration Park. Photo by Zhang Xuecheng

In recent years, State Grid Wuwei Electric Power Supply Company has advanced the “Turning Sand into Gold with Electricity – Desert Energy Ecosystem” Project under the vision of “golden sands, blue sea, and green oasis.” The project has pioneered an integrated development model featuring power generation on the solar panels, crop cultivation beneath them, livestock breeding between the arrays, and tree planting around the plant. By combining renewable energy development with ecological restoration, the initiative delivers environmental, economic and social benefits while showcasing Wuwei’s innovative approach to making productive use of desert resources.

The international experience ambassadors first attended a site briefing to learn about China Huadian’s Jiuduntan Photovoltaic Sand Control Project and the “Turning Sand into Gold with Electricity” development model. Jim, an international experience ambassador from Pakistan, was impressed by the scale of the project. “I didn’t expect to see a project of this size,” he said. “I hope projects like this can also be developed in Pakistan and other countries.”

International experience ambassadors listen to the site briefing. Photo by Zhang Xuecheng

During the hands-on session, the ambassadors learned how to build straw checkerboards, a widely used method of sand stabilization. Following the guidance of the staff, they used straw-pressing spades to embed wheat straw into the sand, creating checkerboard grids that help prevent shifting sand and stabilize the desert surface. They also documented the experience through photos and videos, capturing a vivid example of Wuwei’s ongoing efforts in desert restoration.

International experience ambassadors try making straw checkerboards. Photo by Zhang Xuecheng

Across the Gobi Desert, rows of straw checkerboards anchor the shifting sands, while vast photovoltaic arrays generate clean energy, enabling ecological restoration and clean energy production to advance side by side. Wuwei’s “Turning Sand into Gold with Electricity” initiative gave the international experience ambassadors a firsthand look at the practical solutions and innovative thinking behind ecological restoration in northwest China.

International experience ambassadors pose for a group photo. Photo by Zhang Xuecheng

Along the ancient Silk Road, Wuwei continues its journey toward ecological transformation. Using their cameras as a medium, the international experience ambassadors documented China’s innovative approach to desert restoration while helping share the ecological significance of the “Silk Road IP” initiative with audiences around the world. (Text by Dai Manchun)