On January 13, the world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine unit was successfully installed in the waters south of Fujian Province. This marks China’s first installation of a 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine unit, a significant breakthrough in the country's development of ultra-high-capacity units and offshore construction capabilities.
The world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine is successfully installed. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China is endowed with abundant offshore wind energy resources, with a technically exploitable potential of about 2.78 billion kilowatts. Vigorously developing offshore wind power is of great significance for ensuring China's energy security, advancing the green and low-carbon transition, and achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. The newly installed 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine is located over 30 kilometers from the shore in waters over 40 meters deep. Its wheel hub stands at a height of 174 meters, equivalent to a 58-story building. Each blade is 147 meters long, with a rotor diameter of 300 meters and a swept area comparable to 10 standard football fields.
This achievement marks another leap forward in China's major offshore wind power equipment, following the deployment of the world's first 16-megawatt offshore wind turbine in the waters near Pingtan County, Fujian Province in 2023. Once operational, the new unit will further improve the offshore wind farm’s cost efficiency and maritime space utilization, achieving "higher power generation per unit with lower cost per unit," accelerating the large-scale development of China's offshore wind power sector
The new turbine is part of the renewable energy technology key project under the national key R&D program, and it has been included in the National Energy Administration's fifth catalogue of the first unit (set) of major technological equipment in the energy sector. Guided and supported by the National Energy Administration and the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the turbine was jointly designed, constructed, and deployed for demonstration by China Three Gorges Corporation and Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
This 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine has achieved full supply chain independence and controllability, with 100 percent of its key components produced domestically. It represents breakthroughs in three major technical areas.
In terms of lightweight design, the weight per megawatt of the complete unit (including the nacelle, wheel hub, and blades) is under 40 tonnes, which is more than 20 percent lower than the industry average. This significantly reduces installation difficulties and basic construction costs.
Regarding the intelligent monitoring system, the installation of laser radar as well as blade-root sensors has created a multi-dimensional perception and safety warning system, ensuring the autonomous and safe operation of the turbine in unattended offshore environments.
In aerodynamic performance, the unit utilizes independently developed airfoil blades with a wind utilization factor of 0.49, significantly improving the wind capture and power generation efficiency.
Under the control of large-scale lifting equipment, the third blade of the wind turbine is precisely connected to the nacelle wheel hub and securely bolted, marking the successful completion of the hoisting operation for the world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
"The installation and operation of the 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine will drive the comprehensive upgrade of the entire industry chain for large-capacity offshore wind turbines, including design, manufacturing, and construction. This will further consolidate China's globally leading position in the R&D, manufacturing, and application of large-capacity offshore wind turbines," said Jiang Guangqiu, deputy general manager of the China Three Gorges Corporation’s Fujian branch and director of Fujian Province’s engineering research center of offshore wind power development and utilization.
Once connected to the grid, the unit is expected to generate over 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output can meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 44,000 households, equivalent to saving about 24,000 tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 64,000 tonnes. Furthermore, as a new test platform for ultra-large-capacity offshore wind turbines, the 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine will provide valuable data and practical experience for the design, manufacturing, construction, and standard-setting of even larger-capacity units in the future.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
