URUMQI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has posted nearly double-digit growth in power generation from new energy in the first 10 months of this year amid efforts to improve its energy mix and fight pollution.
Xinjiang's generation of clean energy like solar and wind power grew 9.5 percent year on year to 50.96 billion kilowatt-hours in the January-October period, according to the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd.
The region's utilization rate of its new energy power generating capacity hit 90.9 percent during the period, up 4.3 percentage points from a year ago and recovering from a record low of 63 percent in 2016.
The lower rate came after local authorities encouraged increased local consumption and transmitted more energy to other regions in the country's bustling east, according to the power grid.
During the 10 months, Xinjiang sent 27 billion kWh of new energy electricity to other regions, accounting for 53 percent of all new energy generated.
Xinjiang is one of the leading regions across the country in terms of new energy development.
Currently, Xinjiang's installed new energy power generating capacity accounted for roughly one-third of its total power generating capacity.
To cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle air pollution, China has been working to use more clean energy to reduce its heavy reliance on polluting coal. Enditem
