China launches largest offshore wind hub

July 28, 2026

China has completed the installation of the world’s largest offshore wind converter station, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure. Located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) off the coast of Yangjiang in Guangdong Province, the massive facility is designed to transmit around 6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity to the mainland every year.

Often referred to as the “Heart of Offshore Wind,” the advanced platform will collect electricity generated by offshore wind farms and convert it for efficient transmission through the national power grid. The installation was completed on July 23, and the project has now entered its final stage, including subsea cable connections and integrated offshore-onshore system testing before commercial operations begin.

World’s first 500 kV flexible DC offshore converter station

The new facility is the first offshore converter station in the world to combine 500-kilovolt (kV) voltage with 2,000-megawatt (MW) flexible direct current (DC) transmission technology. This innovative system enables the efficient transfer of large volumes of renewable electricity over long distances while reducing transmission losses.

Once the station becomes fully operational, it is expected to prevent nearly 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions annually, reinforcing China’s efforts to expand low-carbon energy generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Massive engineering achievement

According to China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), the offshore converter station consists of two major structures: a seven-story steel topside and a massive jacket foundation fixed to the seabed.

The upper platform measures 85.5 meters long, 82.5 meters wide, and 44 meters high, with a total weight of approximately 25,000 metric tons. Supporting it is a steel jacket foundation measuring 82 meters long, 57 meters wide, and 69 meters high, weighing an additional 17,000 metric tons.

The entire installation is anchored securely using eight large foundation piles, allowing the structure to withstand extreme offshore conditions, including powerful waves, strong ocean currents, corrosive saltwater, dense sea fog, and frequent typhoons in the South China Sea.

Innovative float-over installation method

Because the platform exceeded the lifting capacity of any available domestic heavy-lift crane vessel, engineers adopted an advanced float-over installation technique.

Using the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel Xiang Tai Kou, the enormous topside was carefully positioned above the jacket foundation. Engineers relied on tidal movements and the vessel’s dynamic positioning system to align the structure with exceptional accuracy.

During the critical installation phase, the clearance between the platform and the supporting jacket was only 150 millimeters (6 inches) on each side. Specialized rubber fenders and custom-designed coupling systems absorbed impacts and ensured precise alignment before the platform was permanently secured.

The entire operation was completed in approximately seven hours after project teams selected an optimal weather window based on extensive marine and meteorological forecasts.

Boosting offshore wind power capacity

SASAC described the project as the offshore wind converter station with the highest operating voltage and the largest transmission capacity ever built for a flexible DC offshore wind transmission system.

When commercial operation begins, the facility will supply around 6 billion kWh of renewable electricity each year, enough to support large-scale clean energy demand while reducing annual carbon emissions by nearly 5 million metric tons. The project represents another major step in advancing offshore wind technology and strengthening China's renewable energy infrastructure.