China's Highest-Altitude Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Project Unit 1 Commences Commercial Operation

On November 5, 2026, Unit 1 of the Qinghai Huadian Golmud Phase I 2×660MW coal power project passed 168-hour trial operation and entered commercial operation, becoming China's highest-altitude ultra-supercritical coal-fired power project. Located in Golmud, Qinghai at an average altitude of about 2,850 meters, the project represents a total investment of approximately 6.2 billion yuan and is designed to generate about 6 billion kilowatt-hours annually, enough to meet the yearly electricity needs of around 6.6 million residents. The unit was selected for the National Energy Administration's fifth batch of first-of-a-kind major energy equipment, addressing high-altitude, high-alkali coal, and deep peak-shaving challenges while achieving zero external wastewater discharge and 100% comprehensive utilization of ash, slag, and gypsum.