Dongying, a city in East China's Shandong province, began construction on the Times Zero-Carbon Industrial Park on July 26.

This is China's first industrial complex to run entirely on direct-connect renewable energy, marking a major step in the city's shift from fossil fuels to green innovation.

Backed by over 10 billion yuan ($1.39 billion) in investment, the park will operate off the public grid, powered solely by locally generated wind and solar energy. Smart storage and advanced control systems will ensure a steady, 24-hour green power supply to support large-scale battery production.

Led by leading battery manufacturer CATL, the project aims to build a full green supply chain which spans from clean power generation to certified zero-carbon battery output. Key battery material producers are also joining the cluster, forming an integrated low-carbon industrial ecosystem.

Dongying's location provides a unique mix of renewable resources and industrial capacity. With strong local demand for clean energy and robust logistics, the city is positioning itself as a hub for green manufacturing.

The park's first-phase project, a 40GWh battery production facility, is expected to generate 26 billion in annual output, create 2,400 jobs, and anchor a full-value green battery industry projected to reach 100 billion within five years.

"I hope that Dongying is to be known not just for the place where the Yellow River meets the sea, but as a birthplace of China's zero-carbon future," said a local official.