In a groundbreaking achievement for renewable energy, China’s Three Gorges Group has successfully commissioned and grid-connected the world’s first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine-set in the waters off Fujian Province. Located more than 30 kilometers from the coast in waters deeper than 40 meters, this colossal structure marks a new era in ultra-high-capacity wind power.
Standing at a hub height equivalent to a 58-story building—174 meters tall—the turbine boasts an impeller diameter of 300 meters, sweeping an area comparable to 10 standard football fields. This engineering marvel, independently developed in China, generates over 80 million kilowatt-hours annually under standard conditions, enough to power approximately 44,000 households and offset the use of 22,000 tons of standard coal.
The turbine’s innovative airfoil blades, achieved through lightweight design and digital intelligent integration, reduce weight per megawatt by more than 20% compared to industry averages. This breakthrough enhances wind energy capture and power generation efficiency, providing critical technical support for expanding offshore wind projects into deeper seas.
Experts hail this as a milestone in China’s research, development, manufacturing, offshore installation, and operational capabilities for ultra-high-capacity wind turbine-sets. As global demand for clean energy surges, this turbine sets a benchmark for future offshore wind farms worldwide, promising scalable solutions to combat climate change.