Zhangpu Liuao Phase 2 (Pingtan A)

Location

The wind farm is situated in the South China Sea, off the coast of Pingtan, Fujian Province, China.

Developer and Operator

The project is developed and operated by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).

Capacity

The Zhangpu Liuao Phase 2 wind farm has a total generation capacity of 400 MW. This phase of the project is expected to produce approximately 1.6 TWh of electricity per year.

Turbine Specifications

• The project features the world's largest offshore wind turbines at the time of installation, with a capacity of 16 MW each. These turbines are part of Goldwind's GWH252-16MW model.
• Each turbine has a hub height of over 152 meters and blades that are 123 meters long, resulting in a rotor diameter of 252 meters.
• The swept area of each turbine is around 50,000 square meters.
• A single 16 MW turbine can generate 34.2 kWh of electricity per single revolution and is capable of producing 66 GWh of power annually.

Installation

The installation of the turbines was carried out using CTG's new installation vessel, the Baihetan. The process began in June 2023, with the installation of both 13 MW and 16 MW turbines. The 16 MW turbines were installed after the completion of the 13 MW units.

Environmental Impact

The project is expected to save about 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, contributing significantly to China's efforts in reducing carbon footprint.

Global Context

This project is part of the broader expansion of offshore wind energy globally. China leads the sector with an operational capacity of 31.5 GW, and this project contributes to the country's dominance in offshore wind energy production.

Challenges and Advancements

Despite the challenges faced by the offshore wind industry, such as rising costs and supply chain difficulties, the installation of these advanced turbines marks a significant advancement in turbine capacity and efficiency. The project highlights the ongoing innovation and investment in offshore wind energy to meet global decarbonization goals.