World’s Largest Floating Wind Turbine, The 13-MW ‘Three Gorges Pilot’ Installed In China
Our take
China has made a significant advancement in renewable energy by installing the world’s largest floating offshore wind turbine, the 16-MW Three Gorges Pilot. Positioned 43 miles off the coast of Yangjiang in Guangdong Province, this innovative turbine represents a leap forward in harnessing wind energy in challenging ocean environments. The project showcases China's commitment to sustainable energy solutions and demonstrates the potential of floating wind technology to contribute to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
The recent installation of China’s world-leading floating wind turbine, the Three Gorges Pilot, marks a significant milestone in offshore energy innovation. This 13-MW installation, anchored 43 miles from Yangjiang in Guangdong, exemplifies the country’s push toward harnessing renewable resources in challenging ocean conditions. By deploying a 16-MW floating structure, China not only expands its offshore wind capacity but also demonstrates technical prowess in navigating deep and variable waters. This project underscores a strategic shift toward sustainable energy solutions that align with global climate goals while reinforcing the nation’s commitment to technological leadership.
What makes this development particularly compelling is its integration into the broader energy transition narrative. The floating turbine’s design addresses the limitations of fixed-bottom installations, allowing access to stronger and more consistent winds further out to sea. This advancement is more than a hardware achievement; it signals a deeper understanding of ocean dynamics and the ability to translate that knowledge into scalable infrastructure. For stakeholders in energy planning, this highlights the importance of adaptive technology in meeting rising demand without compromising environmental integrity.
Beyond its engineering merits, the Three Gorges Pilot carries symbolic weight. It represents a collaborative effort between Chinese researchers, engineers, and policymakers, all united by a shared vision for cleaner power. The project also serves as a reminder of the urgency surrounding climate action, as it contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels while emphasizing the need for continuous innovation. As the world races to decarbonize, such initiatives offer a blueprint for balancing ambition with practical execution. The true impact, however, will unfold over time—through energy production, research insights, and the inspiration it provides to future projects worldwide. It is a step forward, but the journey toward sustainable dominance in renewables is far from over.
China installed the world’s biggest floating offshore wind turbine, the 16-MW Three Gorges Pilot, 43 miles off Yangjiang in the Guangdong Province.
The turbine was assembled at Tieshan Port in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and then towed across the Qiongzhou Strait to its destination.
When it becomes operational, the turbine will produce around 44.65 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to power 24,000 households for an entire year.
The turbine is supported by a floating structure with a semi-submerged base of 80.82 m long, 91 m wide and weighing around 24,100 tons, enabling it to operate in open sea conditions with deeper waters and powerful winds.
While traditional systems are anchored to the seabed, the platform is held in its place with the help of 9 suction anchors, which work with sturdy polyester cables and anchor chains.
This method allows the platform to remain stable even amidst waves and currents. It also allows the installation of offshore wind turbines in areas where fixed-bottom turbines cannot be installed due to deep water or tricky seabed conditions.
The turbine’s tip is 270 m high, and its rotor is 252 m across. Given its dimensions, the turbine is one of the most powerful in the entire world.
Per the engineers, it will also be efficient and generate more energy than smaller turbines positioned closer to the coasts.
The area it covers is around the size of 7 football fields, allowing it to capture a lot of wind energy at every turn.
The team behind this project introduced many new technologies to handle extreme marine environments, such as a newly designed mooring system, a dynamic monitoring system, an active ballast system and 66 kV dynamic submarine cables for the first time in China.
The mooring system combines polyester cables with anchor chains, which improves flexibility and mechanical performance.
It also helps absorb tension, reduces stress on the structure, and extends its operational life.
This project shows China’s growing focus on constructing massive offshore wind farms and its strengthening its foothold in the global renewable energy market with floating turbines like the Three Gorges Pilot.
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