MORE POWER: Ningxia Maliantai Power Plant is one of the key
energy-related companies in the Ningdong Development Zone

Ningdong Development Zone, an important national-level base for the coal and chemical industries, is located in the eastern part of Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is an energy development base for transforming electricity from west to east in the country and a trial base for promoting a cyclic economy.

Ningxia is rich in coal, and its proven coal reserves are estimated to be 27 billion tons, equivalent to the aggregate amount of reserves in China's three northeastern provinces. Hence, coal production, power, and coal-related chemicals have become the zone's leading industries.

The base covers an area of 3,500 square km, including Lingwu City, Yanchi County, Tongxin County and the Hongsipu Development Zone. A total of 27 billion yuan ($4 billion) was invested in the base from 2003-07. This year, Ningxia plans to add 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) to the key industrial project.

The zone is composed of three sub-bases. Ningdong coal base is capable of producing 17 million tons of coal annually. Ningdong thermal power base, which is under construction, is expected to have a power-generating capacity of 6 million kw in 2010. Ningdong coal chemical base, also under construction, is expected to produce 4 million tons of coke each year and process 12.8 million tons of indirect coal liquefaction and 3.25 million tons of coal-based methanol annually by 2020.