Chinese firm unveils record-breaking offshore wind turbine

Dongfang Electric Corp. announces 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine, setting a new industry record.

China’s Dongfang Electric Corp. has made a significant announcement in the offshore wind industry by unveiling a new turbine with a capacity of 26 megawatts, exceeding the previous record of 18 megawatts by 31%.

This development, disclosed by the company on Saturday, positions Dongfang at the forefront of wind turbine manufacturing, surpassing even the largest models that have been announced but are yet to be constructed, according to BloombergNEF data.

The push for larger turbines comes as manufacturers seek to reduce costs by maximizing power generation from fewer units.

Despite advancements, offshore wind technology remains costlier than fossil fuels like coal in many regions, necessitating continued innovations to drive down prices.

Dongfang provided images of the nacelle, the turbine’s core component housing the generator, but did not disclose details about the turbine’s blades, which have a remarkable diameter of 310 meters (1,017 feet).

The Chengdu-based company already produces 18-megawatt turbines and recently reported that one of its models began generating electricity off Guangdong province's coast.

In addition to Dongfang, other Chinese manufacturers, such as Mingyang Smart Energy Group Ltd. and Windey Energy Technology Group Co., also produce turbines of similar size.

Last week, CRRC Corp Ltd. announced the creation of the largest floating offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 20 megawatts.

These announcements come just days ahead of China’s major wind industry event, China Wind Power, which will begin Wednesday in Beijing, highlighting the competitive landscape within the sector.