Dongfang validates tests on its giant blade for a 26 MW offshore wind turbine

 Chinese wind turbine and electric generator manufacturer Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) validated tests conducted on its giant 150-metre blade, intended for use with its giant 26 MW turbine, at the beginning of the summer.

On 6 June, the company announced that it had successfully completed full-scale static load tests on the offshore wind turbine blade. This test confirms the mechanical strength and structural reliability of this critical component, paving the way for the commercial operation of the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine.

A few months earlier, on 12 October 2024, DEC officially unveiled the first 26 MW offshore wind turbine entirely designed and manufactured in China at its industrial site in Fujian Fuzhou.

The 26 MW wind turbine stands out for its exceptional size and performance. Its hub stands at 185 metres, the equivalent of a 63-storey building. Thanks to this design, each turbine is capable of producing nearly 100 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, covering the needs of 55,000 households. This colossal production saves more than 30,000 tonnes of standard coal and avoids the emission of more than 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to the manufacturer.

The machine is also designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. It has a dual typhoon protection system and proved its robustness when it weathered Super Typhoon Mokha in September 2024, one of the most violent typhoons ever recorded. Its fully sealed design protects components from the corrosive effects of salt spray.

In terms of energy, the wind turbine incorporates a full-power three-phase converter that improves the stability of the current fed into the grid. This technology increases production by more than 2% compared to previous generations. At a wind speed of 10 m/s, the wind turbine can operate for more than 4,000 hours per year.

Entirely local production

The Dongfang Electric Corporation turbine is manufactured using a 100% domestic supply chain, comprising more than 30,000 locally produced parts, from the generator to the control systems. This industrial independence illustrates China’s ability to independently design and manufacture cutting-edge equipment, thereby consolidating its sovereignty.

The project is therefore a powerful driver of economic development for the port region of Jiangyin and the city of Fuqing.

Heading photo: Dongfang Electric Corporation