China Deploys World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine
Dongfang Electric has installed a 26 MW offshore wind turbine, surpassing Siemens Gamesa's 21.5 MW turbine in Denmark. The prototype, placed at a testing and certification base, features a blade diameter of 310 meters and a hub height of 185 meters, making it the largest turbine in both size and capacity globally.
Designed for offshore areas with winds of 8 meters per second or more, the turbine is capable of generating 100 GWh of electricity annually under average wind speeds of 10 m/s. This output is sufficient to power 55,000 homes, reduce coal consumption by 30,000 tons, and cut COâ‚‚ emissions by 80,000 tons. It is engineered to withstand winds up to 200 km/h.
China is expected to install nearly three-quarters of the world's new offshore turbines in 2025, supported by integrated supply chains, state-backed financing, and policy incentives. In contrast, Western markets face high financing costs, supply chain challenges, and reduced subsidies, slowing new installations.
Provinces such as Guangdong aim for 17 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2025, exceeding the total installed capacity of many countries. While Dongfang Electric's turbine still requires full certification after fatigue testing, the installation reflects China's leadership in offshore wind innovation and its push for larger turbines to harness stronger winds further offshore.
Source: interestingengineering.com
