massive wind turbine blades en route for testing departed from Yantai Port in China, measuring a colossal 153 meters in length.
Dongfang Electric Corporation Unveils World's Most Powerful Floating Wind Turbine
Dongfang Electric Corporation, in partnership with China Huaneng Group, has launched a groundbreaking 17-megawatt direct-drive floating offshore turbine. This turbine, with a record rotor diameter of 262 meters, is set to revolutionise the offshore wind energy sector[1].
The turbine's specifications are nothing short of impressive. It boasts a hub height of 152 meters, equivalent to a 50-story building, and a swept area of approximately 53,000 square meters, equivalent to 7.5 standard soccer fields[1]. Designed for extreme maritime conditions, it can withstand waves exceeding 24 meters and typhoons at level 17[1].
The turbine incorporates unique stabilization technology, allowing it to operate continuously even when the floating platform tilts at extreme angles. An integrated intelligent sensing system ensures holistic stability control for safe and efficient operation in deep-sea environments[1].
The turbine, which was rolled off the production line in Fujian province's Fuqing city in July 2025, is set for real-world testing in the waters off Yangjiang in Guangdong province[1]. This on-site testing phase will verify its operational reliability and performance under actual ocean conditions.
Additional details from related sources indicate that Dongfang Electric Corporation is developing even larger turbines, such as a 26 MW turbine with ultra-long blades, which are currently being shipped for testing[5].
The blades for this 26 MW wind turbine have already completed static testing in May 2025 and will soon undergo fatigue testing at a test base[2]. The ultra-long blades, which are en route to a test base for further testing, were shipped from Yantai Port in China's northeastern Shandong province[3].
The launch of this floating wind turbine prototype marks a significant step in China's offshore wind energy development[4]. Dongfang Electric Corporation's portfolio is expanding to include floating wind turbines, in addition to land-based turbines. With an operational availability of over 99%, this turbine is expected to generate approximately 68 million kWh of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power around 40,000 households[1].
In summary:
- Capacity: 17 MW (current model), with development of up to 26 MW units underway
- Rotor diameter: 262 meters
- Swept area: ~53,000 m²
- Hub height: 152 meters
- Annual electricity generation: ~68 million kWh (powers ~40,000 households)
- Design: Direct-drive, floating offshore wind turbine
- Resilience: Survives waves >24 m, typhoons level 17, platform tilt with stabilization technology
- Testing location: Waters off Yangjiang, Guangdong province
- Innovations: Integrated intelligent sensing system for stability and control in deep-sea environments[1][5]
This turbine represents a significant leap in offshore wind technology, advancing the capacity and reliability of floating wind turbines designed for challenging marine environments.
References:
- Dongfang Electric Corporation
- China Huaneng Group
- Yantai Port
- China Daily
- Recharge News
- The 17 MW direct-drive floating offshore wind turbine, developed by Dongfang Electric Corporation and China Huaneng Group, showcases how science and technology are revolutionizing the environmental-science sector by increasing the capacity and resilience of wind energy solutions.
- As Dongfang Electric Corporation continues to innovate, with the development of up to 26 MW ultra-long bladed turbines, the market for high-performing offshore wind technology is set to expand, propelled by advancements in the niche area of deep-sea environmental-science.
