A 4,000-ton all-terrain crane developed by XCMG is being used in the construction of a 500 MW wind-solar-storage project at the Ordos Zero-Carbon Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia, China. This crane, known as the XCA4000, is specifically designed for lifting and installing large wind turbines.
The Ordos Zero-Carbon Industrial Park is the world’s first fully operational zero-carbon industrial zone. The park is a joint venture between the Ordos Municipal Government and Envision Technology Group. It operates entirely on green electricity, with 80% of the energy coming from clean sources like wind and solar power. The remaining 20% is supplied through grid-purchased green power.
The XCA4000 crane plays a key role in the installation of wind turbines at the site. It is capable of lifting components to heights of up to 190 meters. The crane is powered by a 566 kW Weichai diesel engine and features 11 axles for improved steering and maneuverability. In a recent operation, the crane lifted a 117-ton nacelle and drive train along with 35-ton blades, each measuring 118 meters long, to a height of 190 meters.
China has been expanding its wind energy capacity in other regions as well. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, China added approximately 55.8 GW of new wind power capacity in 2022. This included both onshore and offshore wind farms. Inner Mongolia is one of the leading provinces in this growth, with large-scale wind energy projects contributing to China’s renewable energy goals.
In addition to the Ordos project, China has implemented other wind energy initiatives. The Jiuquan Wind Power Base in Gansu Province is one of the largest wind farms in the world, with an installed capacity of over 10 GW. Another major wind farm is the Hami Wind Farm in Xinjiang, which has a planned capacity of 20 GW.
