Datang Shaanxi Power drives green growth in crested ibis homeland

South of the Qinling Mountains along the Hanjiang River, Moziqiao town in Yangxian county, Shaanxi province, is known as the hometown of the crested ibis. Once a remote mountainous village with low agricultural output, limited income opportunities, and a weak local economy, the town has undergone significant transformation.

Today, solar panels stretch across the hills, blending with the natural landscape and the region's iconic crested ibises. Datang Shaanxi Power Generation Co Ltd has leveraged photovoltaic energy to convert sunlight into resources, barren land into productive fields, and villagers into stakeholders, making green energy a key driver of rural revitalization.

From skepticism to approval: How Datang Shaanxi Power won villagers' support

In 2024, Datang Shaanxi Power launched a 60MW photovoltaic project in Moziqiao town, Yangxian county. While villagers were excited about the development, they also had questions: Would land acquisition disrupt farming? Could promised benefits be delivered? Would construction harm the local environment?

To address these concerns, the Datang project team, together with town and village officials, visited residents door to door. They met villagers in fields and courtyards, carefully breaking down potential income: land transfer rent, on-site employment wages, and dividends for the village collective. From a single plot of land, villagers could gain multiple steady, sustainable sources of income.

"We are a central State-owned enterprise, and our projects are for the people’s benefit, not for show. Our goal is to bring real income and tangible benefits to local residents," said a project leader. By making plans and benefits fully transparent, the team earned villagers' trust, who gradually signed land transfer agreements, supporting the green energy project.

The Yangxian county Party committee and government fully backed the initiative. Deputy magistrate Huo Bo noted that the project protects the crested ibis habitat while delivering real benefits to local communities, highlighting strong collaboration between government and enterprise.

From barren fields to green bank: Ecological revitalization powered by PV energy

Moziqiao town now presents a harmonious scene: neat PV arrays under blue skies, white clouds, blooming flowers, and flying crested ibises. The Datang Yangxian 60MW PV project produces about 77.25 million kWh annually, saving roughly 23,300 tons of coal and cutting 58,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. By protecting the Qinling Mountains and the crested ibis habitat, the project turns ecological assets into development opportunities.

"In the past, we relied on a small patch of orchards with unstable income," said local villager. "After transferring our land to Datang, we get fixed rent every year. The project also prioritizes local employment, so we can earn wages nearby while taking care of our families. Rent plus wages together make a reliable income—much better than working far away."

The village economy has also come alive after years of stagnation. Income from the PV project now funds road repairs, street lighting, support for vulnerable households, and care for the elderly, steadily improving public services and the look of the village.

"Roads are smoother, the environment is nicer, and life feels more comfortable," villagers said. What was once barren, low-yield land has become a "green bank", blending healthy ecology, thriving industries, and better livelihoods for everyone.

From aid to self-sustaining growth: Long-term commitment of a Central SOE

Datang Shaanxi Power is turning projects into lasting benefits. Beyond supplying electricity, the company creates local jobs, trains villagers as technicians, and supports stable income.

The clean power also fuels Yangxian's New Energy Vehicle and Electronic Appliance Industrial Park, modern agriculture, and cultural tourism, forming a sustainable cycle of clean energy + advanced manufacturing + integrated agriculture, culture and tourism.

"Datang has brought us not just income, but hope and confidence for our community," said a local official. "We can now build a good life close to home, without having to move far for work." With stable, long-term operations, the project provides steady income for villagers, strengthens the village economy, and drives sustainable rural development, creating a replicable model for green revitalization.

"Solar panels light up not just our homes, but our future," villagers added. Their words show how Datang Shaanxi Power has promoted green energy while supporting rural revitalization in Shaanxi.

Looking ahead, Datang Shaanxi Power Generation Co Ltd will continue to take responsibility as a central state-owned enterprise. Through green transformation, close government-enterprise cooperation, and a focus on local well-being, the company will expand clean energy investments in Yangxian and southern Shaanxi, supporting high-quality development, rural revitalization, and a greener China.