Photovoltaic projects transform sandy terrain into "blue seas" in north China's deserts

An aerial drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

HOHHOT, June 9 (Xinhua) -- In recent years, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has made all-out efforts to tackle the ecological challenges in the areas along the Yellow River, and has treated land covering a total of 14.89 million mu (about 992,667 hectares).

In deserts of Kubuqi and Ulan Buh, the sand control model with photovoltaic projects has been widely implemented, transforming stretches of sandy terrain into vast "blue seas" brimming with green energy.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows machineries leveling sandy land for the construction of a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert in Dalad Banner of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

Workers install photovoltaic panels at a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Wei)

A worker installs photovoltaic panels at a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Ulan Buh Desert, in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Ulan Buh Desert, in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows an integrated sand control and photovoltaic project at a state forestry area in the edge of Ulan Buh Desert in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows an integrated sand control and photovoltaic project at a state forestry area in the edge of Ulan Buh Desert in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Seeds of desert plants are pictured at an integrated sand control and photovoltaic project at a state forestry area in the edge of Ulan Buh Desert in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Wei)

A staff member introduces desert plant specimens at an integrated sand control and photovoltaic project at a state forestry area in the edge of Ulan Buh Desert in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Wei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Workers install photovoltaic panels at a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows a photovoltaic project in Kubuqi Desert, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)