Workers test the equipment while installing a crystal furnace. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

The first phase of the Meike Silicon Energy Project is ready to ramp up to full production in Baotou -- North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region -- marking new progress in the city’s new energy industrial development, according to a June 23 report in the Baotou Evening News.

The project is being developed by Baotou Meike Silicon Energy Co with an investment of 3.9 billion yuan ($551 million).

It is located in the Baotou Metal Deep-Processing Zone in Hondlon district, due to the district’s advantages in its location and resources, as well as Hondlon’s possessing a new energy industrial base which can provide a complete production and supply chain that goes from silicon powder to crystalline silicon, to silicon rods.

Officials said construction work on the project was divided into three phases, starting on July, 2018.

They added that currently, four single crystal furnaces have been installed.

Making progress with the installation of three furnaces per day, total installation of 120 furnaces that forms the second part of the first phase is expected to be completed soon.

Officials said by the end of June, the 2.1 gigwatt single crystal pulling rod and 3 gW polycrystalline ingot projects will be fully operational.