China has asserted that its dominance in offshore wind is solidified by two separate, groundbreaking developments. The deployment of the world’s most powerful single-unit turbine and the successful implementation of advanced typhoon-resistant technology. These achievements mark significant steps in fortifying the country’s clean energy infrastructure.
The 26-megawatt capacity breakthrough:
China has officially rolled out the world’s largest single-unit offshore wind turbine, developed by the state-owned Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC). The turbine, with a capacity of 26 megawatts (MW), was rolled off the production line at the Fujian Fuzhou Offshore Wind Power Industrial Park.
The scale of the unit positions it as the largest in both capacity and size globally. Its specifications include:
Rotor Diameter: Over 310 meters (1,017 feet).
Hub Height: 185 meters (equivalent to a 63-story building).
Annual Output: Expected to generate 100 million kilowatt-hours (100 GWh) of clean electricity annually at a wind speed of 10 meters per second. This production volume is capable of meeting the annual electricity needs of approximately 55,000 households.
Ge Hongbing, Deputy Party Secretary, General Manager, Dongfang Wind Power, highlighted the technological significance of the development. “The successful launch marks a new chapter in China’s offshore wind technology.”
Engineering typhoon resilience:
Both new-generation units and specialized systems are designed to operate safely in the high-wind environments prevalent in China’s coastal waters.
The DEC 26 MW turbine is equipped with dual anti-typhoon technology and is engineered to withstand wind speeds associated with a Level 17 super typhoon (up to 80 meters per second). Its design incorporates an active yawing-against-typhoons strategy and a passive typhoon-resistant structure to maintain stability and safety during extreme weather events.
Separately, Goldwind, another major Chinese manufacturer, successfully demonstrated typhoon resistance during Super Typhoon Yagi. The company’s turbines at the Yangjiang Shiba II & III and Zhanjiang Xuwen Southern offshore wind farms remained operational or safe during the storm, utilizing a proprietary “Goldwind Remote Communication Typhoon Resistance Control System.”
Wu Gang, Chairman, Goldwind, underlined the high stakes of operating in these high-risk zones. “Wind power is a risky industry, and we must approach it with a sense of awe. Quality is the key to our future.”
Strategic impact:
The rapid increase in turbine capacity and storm-proofing technology, entirely utilizing domestically produced key components such as generators, blades, and control systems, provides technical support for China’s national goal of achieving the carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. The advancements reflect a focus on achieving grid parity and reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) through massive economies of scale.
