Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province — In a significant leap for renewable energy, China has unveiled the world’s most powerful floating offshore wind turbine, boasting a generating capacity of 20 megawatts. The turbine rolled off the production line in Yancheng City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, as announced by CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC), the country’s leading train manufacturer, on Saturday.
Independently developed by Chinese engineers, the colossal turbine features a wind wheel with a diameter of 260 meters and a swept area of 53,100 square meters — roughly the size of seven standard soccer fields. This engineering marvel is capable of generating 62 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to power approximately 37,000 households. Its operation is expected to save 25,000 tonnes of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 62,000 tonnes each year.
Equipped with a semi-submersible floating platform and advanced mooring systems, the turbine employs smart control and sensing technologies to extend wind power utilization into deeper ocean waters, ensuring stable and efficient operation. This advancement marks a pivotal moment in harnessing offshore wind resources, particularly in regions where seabed-fixed turbines are not feasible.
“Floating offshore wind turbines are a key technological trend shaping the future of wind energy development,” said Wang Dian, deputy general manager of CRRC Qi Hang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. “Our turbine offers customizable options for various water depths, providing optimized solutions for deep-sea wind power resources.”
The launch of this turbine underscores China’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy sector as the government strives to increase the proportion of electricity generated from non-fossil fuels. In 2023, China’s renewable energy capacity surpassed that of thermal power for the first time, constituting more than half of the country’s installed power generation capacity.
This milestone not only highlights China’s technological prowess but also represents a significant step towards global efforts in combating climate change. The development of such large-scale renewable energy projects is expected to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development worldwide.
Reference(s):
World's largest floating offshore wind turbine rolls off line in China
cgtn.com
