Chinese manufacturer CRRC has successfully installed the world’s largest floating offshore wind turbine, the 20MW Qihang, at the Dongying wind power testing base in Shandong province. The installation marks a significant milestone in the company’s development of ultra-large offshore wind turbines.
The Qihang turbine features a massive 260-meter diameter, roughly equivalent to seven standard football pitches. Its blades have a tip speed of 151 meters, positioning it as a leader in terms of size and efficiency. According to CRRC, each rotation of the turbine can meet the electricity demand of a household for two to four days, while also saving approximately 25,000 tons of coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 62,000 tons annually.
A company spokesman highlighted the turbine’s innovative design, stating, “Qihang not only stands out for its excellent power generation efficiency, but also integrates a number of cutting-edge, innovative control technologies to ensure that the floating unit maintains extreme stability during operation, with minimal swing.
The Qihang turbine will undergo further testing and certification before it is deployed for grid-connected power generation in deeper sea areas, signaling a potential shift in the global offshore wind energy sector. CRRC’s efforts are part of a broader push in China to expand its renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions.
