In May, Hami high-tech zone in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region began accelerating the construction of a one-billion-RMB large-scale gearbox project. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2025, and aims to transform Hami into a supply base for core components of wind power equipment in northwest China.

In recent years, Hami has leveraged its resource advantages to drive industrial development, focusing on high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials and renewable energy, creating a unique ecosystem of these industries.

Wind power equipment manufacturing on the rise

Located in the eastern part of Xinjiang, Hami is blessed with abundant wind resources, making it an ideal site for wind energy development. Hami has been hard at work to attract wind power companies and establish an industrial chain that includes wind turbine assembly, towers, blades and more, positioning the city as a national clean energy base.

To meet the demands of large-scale wind farm projects, the Hami CRRC New Energy Motor Co., Ltd. has upgraded its wind turbines from smaller models to 6-10 MW turbines. The company is also exploring diversified technological upgrades, improving the performance of wind power equipment through innovation and efficiency optimization.

The zone’s growth has seen it become northwest China’s largest and the country’s sixth largest wind power equipment manufacturing base, with Yizhou district’s wind power equipment cluster recently earning national recognition as a key small and medium-sized enterprise industrial cluster.

New materials and clean energy development

Hami also has rich mineral resources, with the largest reserves of copper, nickel, titanium, magnesium, vanadium and molybdenum in Xinjiang, and the third-largest reserves of vanadium-titanium magnetite in China, with an estimated two billion tonnes.

To harness these resources, Hami has attracted new materials companies, focusing on technological innovation to fill gaps in several industries. Xinjiang Xiangrun New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the complete titanium industry chain. Recognized as a national high-tech enterprise, it has made significant strides in technological advancements, with numerous patents and projects focused on product and process innovation.

The region is also seeing significant growth in the solar energy sector. Qingdian Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. has completed the first phase of its 60 GW monocrystalline silicon rod slicing project, which will address the gap in the silicon photovoltaic industry in east Xinjiang. This project is part of Hami’s broader strategy to integrate silicon-based industries with renewable energy, positioning the city as a major player in the new materials industry, with an estimated annual output value of 30 billion RMB.