China says it is working to develop a solar energy plant in space that could one day beam enough power back to Earth to light up an entire city.

If scientists can overcome the formidable technical challenges, the project would help combat the Earth's addiction to dirty power sources which worsen air pollution and global warming.

China has already pledged to invest $US367 billion in renewable power generation solar, wind, hydro and nuclear by 2020.

China hopes to be operating a commercially viable solar space station by 2050.

[Source: CNN]