China unveils plan to test ultra-large 35MW offshore wind turbines

China is advancing its leadership in offshore wind energy by planning a test site capable of supporting ultra-large 35 MW turbines. Huaneng, a major state-owned power developer, issued a tender for infrastructure in Yingkou, northeast China, to accommodate the massive foundations, lifting platforms, and worker facilities needed for testing such turbines. The initial turbine to be tested there will be a 26 MW semi-direct drive model paired with a 5 MW/10 MWh energy storage system, following China’s recent record-breaking deployment of a 26 MW turbine by Dongfang Electric. This surpasses previous records held by Siemens Gamesa and China’s Mingyang, illustrating rapid innovation and competition in turbine capacity scaling. Industry experts interpret Huaneng’s initiative as a strategic signal that China intends to continue pushing turbine size beyond the current 25 MW class, aiming to maintain a competitive edge in global wind power technology. While the construction of a 35 MW-capable test site does not guarantee immediate deployment of such turbines