China’s Dongfang Electric Unveils World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine

Dongfang Electric

China's Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), a leader in energy and electromechanical manufacturing, recently rolled out the world's most powerful offshore wind turbine in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The 26MW behemoth, launched on October 12, promises to advance the nation's offshore wind energy capabilities, with enough capacity to power 55,000 homes and slash CO₂ emissions by over 80,000 tons annually.

Innovation and Efficiency in Wind Power

Equipped with the latest third-generation semi-direct drive technology, DEC’s turbine marks a significant improvement in efficiency and sustainability. This design minimizes magnet requirements, reducing the consumption rate to approximately 0.1 tons per megawatt (t/MW), a significant drop from previous levels of 0.4 t/MW and well below the 0.5-0.7 t/MW standard in traditional direct drive turbines. This innovation not only conserves resources but also aligns with China’s commitment to lowering carbon output.

China's offshore wind industry has grown at a remarkable pace, with new installations in 2023 totaling 7.183GW—9% of the global additions of 79.37GW. Forecasts suggest the pace will continue, with 8-10GW expected in 2024 and 15GW by 2025. As of 2023, China’s cumulative offshore wind capacity stands at 37.7GW, around 7.9% of the nation's total capacity. In 2021, China surpassed the United Kingdom as the top global offshore wind energy producer, supported by government subsidies and incentives.

The surging growth in offshore wind is also driving demand for rare earth magnets, especially neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB). The Global Wind Energy Council reports that demand for NdFeB magnets is projected to reach 35,200 tons by 2025, up from 27,400 tons in 2023, spurring magnet production expansion to meet this increased demand.

As China cements its place at the forefront of the global offshore wind industry, the impacts on environmental sustainability and resource efficiency are likely to be felt far beyond its borders.