China has set a new global benchmark in clean energy by successfully installing the world’s first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine, marking a major breakthrough in offshore wind power and maritime engineering.

A Global First in Offshore Wind Power

The turbine, installed by China Three Gorges Corporation—one of the world’s largest energy companies—is located in the waters off southeast China’s Fujian Province. Once connected to the power grid, it is expected to generate more than 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply power to around 44,000 households.

This installation pushes the limits of offshore wind technology, setting a new record for single-turbine capacity worldwide.

Engineering Under Extreme Conditions

Completing a project of this scale posed significant challenges. The installation site lies over 30 kilometers offshore, where construction teams had to contend with deep waters, unpredictable monsoon weather, and high-risk operations at extreme heights.

To meet these challenges, engineers deployed a next-generation offshore installation vessel with a 2,000-tonne lifting capacity. Using advanced positioning and hoisting systems, the team lifted and installed three enormous blades, each nearly 150 meters long, to a height of 174 meters, precisely mounting them onto the turbine’s central hub.

Domestic Innovation and Cost Efficiency

The 20-megawatt turbine is considered a flagship project aligned with China’s long-term energy and carbon-reduction goals. All major components are domestically developed, highlighting China’s growing self-reliance in high-end renewable energy technology.

Thanks to its lightweight design, the turbine weighs more than 20 percent less per megawatt than the industry average. This allows it to be mounted on a more economical underwater foundation, significantly reducing overall construction and installation costs.

Major Environmental Benefits

From an environmental standpoint, the turbine delivers substantial benefits. Each year, a single unit of this scale can:

• Replace approximately 24,000 tonnes of coal
• Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 64,000 tonnes

These figures underline the turbine’s role in accelerating China’s transition toward clean, low-carbon energy and advancing global offshore wind development.

A Milestone for Global Clean Energy

The successful installation of the world’s first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine represents not only a technological milestone for China, but also a major step forward for the global renewable energy industry. It demonstrates how large-scale innovation can drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and reshape the future of offshore wind power worldwide.