Chinese state-owned manufacturer Dongfang Electric has installed a 26 megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine at its testing site in Dongying, located in the coastal province of Shandong. According to the company, this project sets a double world record for unit capacity and rotor size, which reaches 310 metres.
Giant components for increased output
Each blade measures 153 metres in length, enabling a swept area of 77,000 square metres. For comparison, the Melbourne Cricket Ground covers 22,000 square metres. The turbine is made up of more than 30,000 parts and relies on third-generation integrated technology combining the shaft, gearbox, and generator in a semi-direct drive configuration.
The system also includes a fully sealed structure to protect internal components from salt spray. A dual internal and external cooling mechanism ensures stability in harsh marine environments. The turbine has been designed to withstand typhoons, including so-called “super typhoons”.
Energy capacity tailored to different wind zones
Each unit can operate at different power levels, from 20 to 26 MW, depending on the wind conditions of the site. At full capacity, a single rotation generates up to 62 kilowatt-hours (kWh), with an annual output estimated at 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) under average wind speeds of 10 metres per second. This is equivalent to the yearly consumption of around 55,000 households.
Optimising production and maintenance costs
The drivetrain system is designed to achieve more than 2% higher efficiency compared with conventional configurations, according to Dongfang Electric. The company stated that this technology reduces both upfront investment and long-term operational expenses. The aim is to lower the cost per kilowatt-hour produced and strengthen the competitiveness of offshore wind.
The first unit of this 26 MW turbine was rolled off the company’s production line in October last year, marking another milestone in the industrial development of very high-capacity wind power.
