The height of the Eiffel Tower: China installs the world's largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine

The Chinese government has set ambitious goals for the development of offshore wind energy, with plans to build 29 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in the coming years.
The MySE 18.X-20 MW turbine, developed by Mingyang Smart Energy, illustrates this commitment and demonstrates China's ambition to become a global leader in the sector.

This turbine was recently installed in Hainan province, in southern China, near the South China Sea. It stands out for its modular and lightweight design, enabling greater efficiency during transportation, installation, and operation.

The model features an impressive rotor diameter ranging from 850 to 958 feet (260 to 292 meters) (taller than the top floor of the Eiffel Tower at 915 feet - 279 meters - but not reaching its antenna at 1,083 feet - 330 meters), and a production capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). This advanced technology includes specific innovations to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as the frequent typhoons in the region.

Its annual production capacity is estimated at 80 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), enough to power about 96,000 households. It could potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 66,000 tons per year. Through these figures, the turbine contributes to both local sustainable development goals and the global fight against climate change, while also strengthening the energy supply for the Hainan region. However, the development of the offshore wind industry in China does face challenges. The race to build increasingly larger turbines poses cost development issues. The lack of international standardization also drives up production costs. Mingyang is focusing on material innovations, such as the use of carbon fibers, to enhance the strength and lightness of its turbines while shortening development cycles.

The company already plans to launch an even larger turbine, with a capacity of 22 MW, by 2025. This project is part of a broader strategy to bolster China's position in the global offshore wind energy market. These initiatives also represent a direct response to international competitors, notably the 18 MW turbine developed by Dongfang Electric, another major player in the sector.