China has connected the world’s first offshore wind turbine rated at 20 MW to the power grid, marking a new technical benchmark for large-capacity offshore generation. The unit is now supplying electricity from the Phase II Liuao offshore wind farm off the southeast coast, according to information released on 6 February 2026.
The turbine, developed and installed by China Three Gorges Corporation, is located more than 30 km offshore in waters exceeding 40 m in depth. Grid connection was achieved following completion of commissioning and operational testing under complex marine conditions.
At full operation, the single turbine is designed to generate more than 80 million kWh annually. This output is sufficient to cover the yearly electricity demand of approximately 44,000 households, while reducing coal consumption by about 22,000 tonnes.
The structure reaches a hub height of roughly 174 m, with rotor blades spanning 300 m in diameter. The swept area is comparable to that of around ten standard football pitches, reflecting the scale required to increase energy yield per installation in offshore environments.
According to the developer, the turbine incorporates optimised airfoil blade design and an integrated lightweight structural system. These features reduce unit weight per megawatt by over 20% compared with conventional offshore turbines, improving efficiency and lowering installation complexity.
Construction and testing were carried out amid seasonal monsoon winds and variable sea states. The successful grid connection demonstrates the feasibility of deploying ultra-large offshore wind units in deeper waters, supporting further expansion of offshore wind capacity.
