China operates giant offshore solar farm

Chinese state-owned company CHN Energy announced on November 13 that its 1 GW offshore solar farm has started generating electricity.

The 1 GW solar farm will help China reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: CHN Energy

Located off the coast of Dongying, Shandong Province, the 1 GW solar power project is said to be the world’s largest offshore solar power project. The plant’s operation marks a major step forward in solar power technology, accelerating its expansion at sea.

"This is the first and largest project of its kind in the world, developed by Guohua Energy Investment Company Limited under China National Offshore Power Group (CHN Energy). The project will serve as a model for the development of large-scale offshore solar power projects. The farm covers an area of ​​approximately 1,223 hectares with a total installed capacity of 1 GW," CHN Energy said.

The Shandong solar farm is notable for its integration of many advanced technologies. It is the first farm in the world to use large-scale steel-frame fixed-piling technology for offshore structures.

“This global pioneering initiative consists of 2,934 solar power platforms installed on large offshore steel foundation piles. Each platform is 60 meters long and 35 meters wide,” CHN Energy added.

The project also uses long-distance 66kV offshore and onshore transmission lines, a first for China's solar power industry, which increases transmission capacity and reduces costs, contributing to overall efficiency.

When fully operational, the farm is expected to produce 1.78 billion kWh of electricity per year, enough to meet the electricity needs of about 2.67 million urban residents in China.

The project also supports China’s commitment to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. According to CHN Energy, the farm will save about 503,800 tons of standard coal and reduce CO2 emissions by 1.3447 million tons.

The company also aims to make the project more comprehensive. “The project uses an integrated aquaculture solar power development model, combining fish farming with solar power generation to comprehensively enhance the exploitation of the sea,” the company concluded.