FUJIAN PROVINCE, CHINA – China has significantly advanced its offshore wind power capabilities with the successful grid connection of the world’s first 20-megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine. Located off the coast of Fujian Province in southeast China, the turbine began operations on , marking a major technological leap for the country’s renewable energy sector.
Developed and installed by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) in collaboration with Goldwind, the turbine is situated in the phase II Liuao offshore wind farm, more than 30 kilometers from the coast and in waters exceeding 40 meters in depth. This achievement represents the first successful installation, debugging, and grid connection of an ultra-large-capacity 20 MW offshore wind turbine globally, according to CTG.
Scaling Up Wind Power Generation
The 20 MW turbine boasts impressive dimensions. Its hub stands 174 meters above sea level – equivalent to a 58-story building – and features a rotor diameter of 300 meters. The blades sweep an area comparable to 10 standard soccer fields. Each blade measures 147 meters in length, utilizing a flexible carbon-fiber design.
CTG projects that the turbine will generate over 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is sufficient to meet the yearly power consumption of approximately 44,000 households and is estimated to save around 22,000 tonnes of standard coal, resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The turbine’s operation demonstrates China’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
Addressing Technical Challenges and Reducing Costs
The installation process wasn’t without its hurdles. The CTG team overcame challenges posed by monsoon winds and complex sea conditions to complete all necessary tests efficiently. According to Jiang Guangqiu, deputy general manager of CTG’s Fujian branch, the turbine “provides crucial technical support for the future development of offshore wind power in deeper waters.”
Beyond the sheer scale of the turbine, the project highlights a focus on cost reduction. Compared to a 16 MW platform, the 20 MW turbine is projected to reduce the number of turbine positions by approximately 25%, lowering seabed utilization and associated foundation costs. It’s also expected to improve generation efficiency by roughly 5% through advanced materials and intelligent control systems, delivering an estimated 5–8% reduction in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
A Shift in the Global Wind Energy Landscape
This deployment follows China’s earlier installation of 16 MW offshore turbines in 2023, demonstrating a clear trend towards scaling up turbine capacity. The 20 MW turbine achieves 100% localization of key components and full domestic industrial-chain control, signifying China’s growing self-sufficiency in the wind energy sector.
The economic implications of larger turbines are particularly relevant for deep and far-offshore projects, where foundations, installation vessels, and subsea cables represent a substantial portion of capital expenditure. Increasing turbine capacity is seen as a key structural mechanism to improve project economics in these challenging environments.
Strategic Importance and Future Outlook
Approximately 60% of global economic output and 70% of major cities are located in coastal regions, making offshore wind power a strategically important resource. China’s success in deploying this 20 MW turbine positions the country as a leader in the development and commercialization of deep and far-offshore wind resources.
The turbine’s successful connection to the grid represents a significant milestone, not only for China but for the global wind energy industry. It signals a potential shift towards larger, more efficient turbines, paving the way for more cost-effective and sustainable offshore wind power generation worldwide. The project underscores the growing importance of renewable energy in meeting global energy demands and combating climate change.
