World’s largest floating wind turbine to power 40,000 homes yearly

China has unveiled the world’s largest and most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine, a 17-megawatt unit developed by China Huaneng Group and Dongfang Electric Corporation. Standing 498 feet tall with a rotor diameter of 859 feet, the turbine can generate 68 million kilowatt-hours annually—enough to power approximately 40,000 homes. It is engineered to withstand extreme deep-sea conditions, including waves over 78 feet high and typhoon-level winds, thanks to an integrated intelligent sensing system that ensures stability and continuous operation with over 99% availability. The turbine will undergo offshore testing near Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. A key highlight of this project is its fully domestic supply chain, featuring China’s first large-diameter main shaft bearing and other core components made entirely in China. This self-sufficiency reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthens China’s clean energy industry amid growing global competition in floating offshore wind technology. The turbine’s success supports China’s broader energy strategy