China plans world's largest Solar Power Plant - 100mw Plant - 11/21/06

China, seeking to ease its dependence on coal to fuel its ever growing economy, said on Tuesday it will build the world's largest solar power station in the poor, but sunny northwestern province of Gansu.

The 100-megawatt (mw) project would cost approximately 6.03 billion yuan ($766 million), and construction would take five years, Xinhua news agency said.

Trying to cut down on pollution which hit the maximum "hazardous" level in the capital on Tuesday, China has also stepped up investment in energy projects abroad and nuclear power.

Planners chose the "oasis town" of Dunhuang for the solar plant.

"Covering a total area of 31,200 square meters, Dunhuang boasts 3,362 hours of sunshine every year and is hailed as a prime area for solar energy development, with its easy access to electricity transmission and communications," Xinhua said.

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