A CNY 1 billion (USD 145.3 million, EUR 130 million) solar-aquaculture project in China could mark a turning point for the aquaculture sector on China’s east coast.
The twin projects – one 225 megawatts in size and the other 200 megawatts in capacity – will open to bids from electricity companies from 24 June to determine who buys the power produced from the projects. Located near the city of Shouguang, in China’s aquaculture and seafood processing region of Shandong, the development was built by Heng Yuan New Energy Co., based in the city of Weifang (also in Shandong Province).
Shouguang’s government has invested in aquaculture-solar projects as a tool in achieving environmental rectification targets, including as part of a mudflat rehabilitation project, which is clearing out many existing aquaculture ponds. A plan to install solar panels over aquaculture ponds and tanks is backed by local government as a new source of revenue for local small-holders, who are also being encouraged to combine resources into more productive cooperatives that will supply corporate buyers.
A CNY 3.5 billion (USD 408.6 million, EUR 454.8 million) solar-aquaculture project built near Shouguang in 2016 by Shandong Hong Xin Energy Co. claims to generate CNY 480 million (USD 62.4 million, EUR 69.8 million) per year from electricity, with CNY 88 million (USD 12.8 million, EUR 11.4 million) of that paid in tax to local government.
In many cases, solar panels are fixed to the top of fish tanks, covering the fish in and making the water cooler and more productive, according to documentation from the Hong Xin project.
Another big player in China touting the potential of combined aquaculture-solar projects include the Tongwei Group, a leading agricultural conglomerate.
