China deploys world’s first 16 MW tension-leg floating offshore wind platform
China has deployed the world’s first 16 MW tension-leg floating offshore wind platform, marking a significant step in the commercialisation of deep-sea floating offshore wind technology. The platform departed Gaolan Port in Zhuhai, Guangdong, on June 28, 2026, for deployment near the Lufeng oilfield cluster in the South China Sea.
Platform specifications
The floating platform stands more than 307 metres tall and weighs nearly 8,000 tonnes, making it the largest tension-leg floating offshore wind platform designed to support a single 16 MW wind turbine.
Once operational, the turbine is expected to generate around 54 million kWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 35,000 tonnes per year.
Deployment at offshore oil field
The platform will be installed approximately 250 km southeast of Hong Kong near the Lufeng oilfield cluster in waters about 330 metres deep. The area is also prone to tropical cyclones.
Electricity generated by the turbine will be transmitted through subsea cables to supply power to the oil field’s grid, making it China’s first offshore project integrating floating wind power with oil and gas operations.
Commercialisation of floating wind
Chinese authorities said the project forms part of the country’s efforts to scale up and commercialise deep-sea floating offshore wind technology following several demonstration projects.
The project follows similar developments globally. In 2022, Norway commissioned the Hywind Tampen floating wind farm, comprising 11 turbines of 8.6 MW each, to supply electricity to Equinor’s Snorre and Gullfaks oil and gas fields in the North Sea.
China’s offshore wind expansion
China continues to expand its wind power capacity. As of May 2026, the country’s total installed wind power generation capacity exceeded 660 GW, an increase of more than 17% year on year.
Its installed offshore wind capacity has reached 47 GW, accounting for 78% of newly added offshore wind capacity globally. China currently holds more than half of the global offshore wind market and plans to add up to 63 GW of additional offshore wind capacity.
Photo credit: @PDChina/X