🚀 Big win for clean energy: China's first gigawatt-scale offshore solar plant, the world's largest open-sea PV farm, is now fully connected to the grid, according to China Energy Investment Corporation.
Located off the coast of Kenli District in Shandong Province, this massive project spans over 1,200 hectares – that's like covering more than 2,000 football fields – with 2,934 floating platforms, each as big as five basketball courts!
For the first time in China's PV sector, a 66-kilovolt offshore cable paired with an onshore cable delivers high-capacity, long-distance power transmission at lower costs. 🔌💡
The innovative 'four-pile foundation plus solar platform' uses large steel trusses and panels tilted at 15°, designed to brave force-11 gales and winter ice while cutting steel usage by over 10%. 'This design not only resists extreme weather but also reduces costs,' says Zhang Bo, deputy manager of the Kenli project.
When fully operational, the farm will generate about 1.78 billion kWh annually – enough to meet 60% of Kenli District's electricity demand. ⚡🌱
This milestone boosts regional energy security and showcases a model for future large-scale offshore PV projects, driving China's shift toward a green, low-carbon economy.
Reference(s):
China's first gigawatt offshore solar project fully grid-connected
cgtn.com
