XINING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The total power generation of northwest China's Qinghai Province hit about 6.55 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in February, with more than 40 percent from new energy, the province's new biggest source of electricity, local authorities said.

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 31, 2019 shows solar modules at a photovoltaic power industrial park in Golmud City, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo: Xinhua)

It is the province's first time to see power from new energy exceed that generated by hydropower in a single month. Qinghai's previous biggest power source, hydropower, generated around 2.3 billion kWh, following the 2.63 billion kWh created by new energy during the same period, according to the State Grid Qinghai Electric Power Company.

The change marks the province's march toward a new development stage of its new energy resources, as Qinghai becomes China's first province to see new energy represent its biggest source of monthly electricity generation, the company said.

Qinghai is known for its rich water, solar and wind power resources. In 2020, clean energy generation accounted for 89 percent of the province's total power generation.