A new approach of coordinated development of large-scale non-grid-connected wind power and energy-intensive industries in Xinjiang

Xinjiang is one of the areas with the most abundant wind power energy in China. The latest statistics show that the wind energy resources reserve in Xinjiang currently ranks first in the country. Xinjiang, the site of the first wind power station in the country, was established in 1989. Xinjiang has always been and continues to be a leader in development of wind power in terms of the installed capacity and speed of development. The last two years, however, the wind power industry in Xinjiang has gradually begun to slow down its pace of development. The reason for the downturn in development is that economical development in Xinjiang is slow and the demand for electricity is not great. Also the cost of wind power is higher than that of thermal power, and grid wind power is facing a number of technical bottlenecks. Furthermore, the policy governing the wind power industry is one of deficiency. For these reasons, this paper proposes a new approach that large-scale, non-grid-connected wind power be applied directly to energy-intensive industries and suggests implementing the strategy of coordinated development between non-grid-connected wind power and the energy-intensive industries. In order to reach the goal, a three-step measurement for wind power development in Xinjiang is also proposed: (1) give priority to the development of large-scale non-grid-connected wind power; (2) develop grid wind power when giving priority to the large-scale, non-grid-connected wind power; and (3) implement strategic transfer to the southeast coastal area relying on technical superiority.