Beijing’s renewable energy sector just hit a massive high with the grid integration of the planet’s first 20MW offshore wind turbine in southern China’s Fujian waters. Announced by China Three Gorges Group, the turbine’s successful commissioning represents China’s pioneering success in deploying such ultra-high-capacity units at sea.
Positioned far offshore in challenging deep-water conditions, the turbine towers 174 meters at its hub—taller than most skyscrapers—and features blades spanning 300 meters across. Its sweeping area rivals 10 soccer pitches, harnessing wind to produce over 80 GWh yearly, sufficient for 44,000 homes and equivalent to saving 22,000 tons of coal annually.
Key innovations include domestically developed airfoil blades that slash weight by over 20% per MW through smart, lightweight engineering. This not only boosts efficiency in energy collection and output but also paves the way for ambitious deep-sea wind projects.
This feat underscores China’s dominance in offshore wind technology, from R&D to full-scale operations. As nations race toward net-zero goals, this turbine exemplifies how advanced engineering can accelerate the global shift to sustainable power sources.