China's latest wind turbine sets new world record
China surprises the world by breaking its record. It has unveiled the largest wind turbine globally, with a power capacity of 26 MW and a height of 607 feet. A single turbine, in addition to being resistant to hazardous conditions, could provide substantial power to an entire city.
The Chinese Dongfang Electric Corporation has announced the completion of the production of this monumental wind turbine. With a capacity of 26 megawatts (MW), the turbine stands at 607 feet and is capable of generating approximately 100 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually at a wind speed of 22 miles per hour. This marks another step in China's journey to dominate the renewable energy sector.
Height record broken again by China
China continues to push the boundaries of wind energy technology. Just last year, a Chinese manufacturer achieved significant recognition by producing the world's largest offshore wind turbine, capable of powering an entire city. Now, they have built an even more towering structure.
The new turbine is 31% larger than the previous record-holding model and surpasses even the largest planned turbines, according to data from BloombergNEF. Its efficiency means it can power approximately 55,000 homes annually, eliminating the need to burn more than 30,000 tonnes of coal, and reducing emissions by over 80,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
The turbine will withstand the most extreme marine conditions
The turbine has been designed with the harshest marine conditions in mind, taking into account the challenging environment where it will operate. Its construction is resistant to typhoons and severe weather phenomena, with advanced anti-corrosion systems to protect it from the damaging effects of sea salt. In November 2024, the company announced that the turbine had been produced at the Fujian Fuzhou Offshore Wind Power Industrial Park and is set to commence operation soon.
"From Asia’s first 10 MW and 13 MW turbines to the world’s largest 18 MW and now 26 MW turbines, Dongfang Electric has led China into the era of large-megawatt offshore wind power. This progress supports China’s offshore wind power leadership, transitioning from a follower to a global leader," stated Dongfang Electric Corporation in its press release.
China as a leader in wind energy production
China is the world leader in wind energy production, boasting the largest installed capacity globally. In 2023, the country installed 77.1 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy, representing 65% of the global capacity. However, despite these impressive achievements, it still relies on coal as its primary energy source. In 2024, China initiated the construction of 94.5 GW of new coal power capacity, the highest figure in a decade. Notably, China is the country that emits the most carbon dioxide worldwide.
