In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to renewable energy, China Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina) has initiated a landmark centralized equipment procurement program totaling an incredible 97 GW. This strategic initiative, designed to secure the supply chain for its 2026 project pipeline, includes tenders for 35 GW of wind turbines, 31 GW of solar inverters, and an astonishing 31 GW of solar modules.
The 31 GW solar module tender specifically calls for the industry’s most advanced technologies, signaling a clear push towards higher efficiency. The procurement is segmented into three categories, with the bulk of the demand—24 GW—focused on n-type TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) modules. The tender also seeks 4 GW of high-performance back-contact (BC) modules and 3 GW of heterojunction (HJT) technology, known for its reliability in demanding climates. All suppliers are required to provide bifacial modules with cell sizes of 182 mm or larger, reflecting the rapid evolution of the solar panel manufacturing process.
Matching the scale of its solar panel procurement, PowerChina has also tendered for 31 GW of solar inverters. This portion of the program is meticulously divided to meet diverse project needs, including 20 GW of powerful string inverters (over 300 kW) for utility-scale applications, 8 GW of large-scale integrated cabinet inverters (3.125 MW and above), and 3 GW of smaller string inverters for distributed generation projects. The immense volume of this combined procurement underscores the vast quantities of raw materials and sophisticated manufacturing machines required to fuel such growth.
To put this tender into perspective, PowerChina’s 31 GW solar module target for a single year’s projects dwarfs the national ambitions of many countries. For example, it far exceeds the capacity sought in the upcoming Panama solar tender and is more than double the entire 12 GW renewable target set by nations like Egypt. It also makes the recent 3 GW solar tenders in Algeria seem modest by comparison. Such a significant move by a state-owned giant suggests robust internal demand, providing a strong counter-narrative to predictions of a China solar slowdown.
The procurement process, with bids due by December 24, 2025, is designed for long-term stability. PowerChina will establish framework agreements with a shortlist of qualified suppliers, who will then participate in a secondary competitive process for specific projects. This strategy ensures both supply and pricing security for its 2026 developments. For potential suppliers, a firm grasp of the basics of solar panel manufacturing and a detailed understanding of the plant cost breakdown will be crucial to competing effectively. To learn more about these fundamental concepts, our free e-course offers a comprehensive overview.
Sources for the PowerChina solar tender: Stunning 31 GW Program by 2026
- Energy Transition — Industry News
- China Solar PV News Snippets – December 4, 2025
- Chinese PV Industry Brief: PowerChina launches 31 GW solar …
- powerchina Archives – PV Tech
