World’s first 20-MW offshore wind turbine installed in waters near Fujian

The world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine was successfully installed in east China's Fujian Province on Tuesday, making it the first offshore wind turbine of this kind in the country to be installed, according to its developer China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).

Once connected to the grid, the wind turbine is expected to generate more than 80 million kWh of electricity annually, which can meet the yearly power demand of around 44,000 households, while saving approximately 24,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 64,000 tons.

The wind turbine is located more than 30 kilometers offshore in waters exceeding 40 meters in depth. Installation faced multiple challenges, including a narrow construction window during the monsoon season, complex sea conditions and high risks associated with high-altitude operations.

To overcome the difficulties, the construction team deployed a fourth-generation wind power installation vessel with a lifting capacity of 2,000 tons. Supported by high-precision positioning and intelligent pile-driving control systems, the team steadily lifted three 147-meter-long blades to a height of 174 meters, accurately connecting them to the hub. The completed rotor has a diameter of 300 meters and a swept area equivalent to nearly 10 standard football fields.

The turbine is part of a national key research and development program, with all its major components independently developed and produced in China.