A wind power base, which is said to be the world's largest joint development and parallel running wind power project, will be formally launched in Jiuquan, Gansu province on July 12, 2009.

Involving a total investment of more than CNY120 billion, the 10 million-KW-level wind power station project will be another landmark project in China's 'Western Development' strategy following the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and several west to east transmission projects for natural gas, petroleum, and electricity.

The project is designed to have an installed capacity of 5.16 million KW by the end of 2010, 12.71 million KW by the end of 2015 and 20 million KW by the end of 2020.

Guo Yishou, vice mayor of Jiuquan city, said that thanks to its unique advantage in wind power resources, good climatic conditions, low land cost, and great wind power potential, Jiuquan has been chosen by the National Development and Reform Commission as the base for this large project.

It is said that Jiuquan is now being turned from a world wind storehouse to a treasury of electricity. The construction of the wind power project will create more than 5,000 jobs for local people and is expected bring great benefit to the environment by reducing smoke and sulfur dioxide emissions. In addition, the new wind power base is expected to form a new landscape to attract tourists for the region.