CHN Energy Ningxia Branch Shizuishan Company recently completed retrofits on its six operating units, making it China’s first 300‐MW coal-fired enterprise to implement cow dung co-firing. This project follows the guidance of the nation’s Coal-fired Power Low-Carbon Transformation and Construction Action Plan (2024–2027), which encourages utilization of biomass co-firing technology to reduce the carbon intensity of coal-fired units.
Workers at Shizuishan Company coal yard are currently blending cow dung with coal.
Founded in 1958, Shizuishan Company holds the distinction of being the first thermal power plant in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Since January 2024, the company has surveyed biomass resources within an 80‐kilometer radius around Huinong District and, through rigorous testing of the cow dung’s calorific value, moisture content and other key parameters, confirmed the feasibility of co-firing. At present, individual coal pulverizers incorporate cow dung at a 15% ratio, and the boilers use a 6% blending ratio, with an estimated annual consumption of 200,000 tons of cow dung.
By precisely calculating the optimal co-firing ratio, monitoring combustion parameters in real time, and employing fine operational techniques such as mixing and stirring, the project ensures stable combustion. Estimates indicate that the trial can save approximately 35,000 tons of standard coal per year, reduce carbon emissions by 91,000 tons annually, and yield comprehensive benefits of around 34 million RMB. In addition, livestock farmers receive a subsidy of 25 RMB per ton of cow dung provided, effectively addressing the disposal challenges of cow dung in surrounding rural areas.
