On November 13, Chinese state-owned company CHN Energy announced that its 1 GW offshore solar farm has begun generating electricity.
Located off the coast of Dong Dinh, Shandong Province, this 1 GW solar project is touted as the largest offshore solar farm in the world. The commencement of operations at the plant marks a significant advance in solar technology, promoting the expansion of this technology offshore.
The 1 GW solar farm will help China reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo: CHN Energy).
“This is the first and largest project of its kind in the world, developed by Guohua Investment Energy Company, a subsidiary of China Energy Group (CHN Energy). The project will serve as a model for the development of large-scale offshore solar projects. The farm covers an area of approximately 1,223 hectares with a total installed capacity of 1 GW,” stated CHN Energy.
The solar farm in Shandong has attracted attention for integrating several advanced technologies. It is the first offshore solar farm in the world to use large-scale fixed steel jacket foundations for its structure.
“This pioneering global initiative includes 2,934 solar platforms installed on these large offshore steel jackets. Each platform measures 60 meters in length and 35 meters in width,” added CHN Energy.
The project also utilizes 66 kV long-distance transmission lines offshore and onshore, marking a first in China’s solar energy sector, which enhances transmission capacity and reduces costs, contributing to overall efficiency improvements.
When fully operational, the farm is expected to generate 1.78 billion kWh of electricity annually. This output is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 2.67 million urban residents in China.
Additionally, the project supports China’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering 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 employs an integrated solar energy development model with aquaculture, combining fish farming with solar energy production to enhance the comprehensive utilization of marine areas,” the company concluded.
