A photovoltaic power station erected over a tidal flat in Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, begins operations Feb 5. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

In a significant stride towards renewable energy, a photovoltaic power station erected over a tidal flat in Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, commenced operations on Feb 5.

Spanning an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares) in Wenling's Songmen town, the facility is built with an investment of 1.2 billion yuan ($166.83 million). It is projected to yield approximately 257 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, effectively meeting the power requirements of 75,000 households — twice the population of Songmen, as stated by Zhao Junyuan, a representative from the Taizhou branch of the State Grid.

To facilitate the transmission of the generated electricity, an 800-meter 220-kilovolt overhead line and four iron towers have been constructed in close proximity.

Its operations signify the conclusion of the initial phase of a larger photovoltaic power station in Wenling, designed to be established over tidal flats covering a total of 9,000 mu. This expansive project, the largest of its kind in China, is anticipated to produce a combined 700 million kWh of electricity annually.

The construction of the project is segmented into three phases, with the second and third phases situated in Shitang and Ruoheng towns in Wenling, respectively.

The approach of constructing photovoltaic power stations over tidal flats is increasingly embraced in coastal cities due to its dual economic advantages. Beyond its power generation capabilities, the space beneath the photovoltaic panels can still be utilized for fishing, highlighting the project's multifaceted benefits.