China Huadian, a major player in China’s energy sector, has announced the results of its recent procurement of photovoltaic (PV) modules, with industry giants LONGi and AIKO emerging as the leading bidders. Their successful bids underscore a strong market position and competitive offerings. This significant procurement covers four large-scale projects with a total combined capacity of 2.5 GW, reflecting Huadian’s ongoing efforts to secure high-quality solar modules for its expanding renewable energy portfolio.
LONGi and AIKO Lead Bids in China PV module procurement
Huadian’s massive procurement is allocated across four key provincial projects: the 500 MW Hubei project, the 500 MW Jiangxi project, the 1 GW Zhejiang project, and the 500 MW Jiangsu project. The distribution of the contracts highlights the competitive landscape among top-tier manufacturers.
The bid winners for each project are as follows:
* 500 MW Hubei Project: Jinko Solar and LONGi secured an equal split, each winning bids for 250 MW.
* 500 MW Jiangxi Project: Jinko Solar again secured 250 MW, with AIKO winning the remaining 250 MW. This win showcases AIKO’s growing influence and production capacity in the high-efficiency module space.
* 1 GW Zhejiang Project: The largest project was evenly split between AIKO and LONGi, with each manufacturer contracted to supply 500 MW.
* 500 MW Jiangsu Project: LONGi, a company recognized for its high-quality modules, won the majority with 275 MW, while GCL secured the remaining 225 MW.
PV Module Specifications for China PV module procurement
Huadian has set stringent technical standards, requiring all PV modules to comply with the “Technical Requirements for Photovoltaic Module Products of Huadian Group Co., Ltd. (2023 Version).” The procurement specified the use of high-efficiency cell technologies, demonstrating a clear preference for performance and longevity.
The modules must be based on monocrystalline silicon, one of the primary solar panel raw materials known for its high efficiency. The accepted technologies include PERC, TOPCon, or HJT, with minimum power ratings of 540 W, 570 W, and 600 W, respectively. This push for higher wattage and advanced technologies like LONGi’s BC technology is a key trend in the utility-scale solar market, as it optimizes land use and reduces balance-of-system costs. The entire solar panel manufacturing process is evolving to meet these demanding specifications.
The delivery timeline is staggered across the projects:
* Hubei & Jiangxi Projects: Full delivery for the Hubei project and the first batch for Jiangxi is due by December 2024. The second batch for Jiangxi is scheduled for June 2025.
* Zhejiang & Jiangsu Projects: The first batches are due by June 2024 (Zhejiang) and December 2024 (Jiangsu), with second batches for both due by the end of June 2025.
Future China PV module procurement Plans
Looking ahead, Huadian is already planning another major procurement round for PV modules, this time targeting projects in the Anhui and Guizhou provinces. This new round encompasses four projects with a substantial combined capacity of 1.5 GW. The planned projects include:
* A 100 MW PV project in Guizhou
* A 400 MW PV project in Anhui
* A 500 MW PV project in Guizhou
* A 500 MW PV project in Anhui
The technical requirements for these modules will remain consistent with the previous round, ensuring a continued demand for high-power, high-efficiency products. The procurement for these projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This continued investment is a core part of Huadian’s broader strategy to enhance its renewable energy portfolio and actively support China’s ambitious transition to cleaner energy sources.
These large-scale procurements are critical drivers of the solar industry, pushing manufacturers to innovate and scale up production. To better understand the fundamentals behind this technology, you can explore the basics of solar panel manufacturing.
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