China brings first gigawatt-scale fixed offshore solar project online

A state-owned developer in China has fully commissioned the HG14 offshore solar project in Shandong, marking the country’s first gigawatt-scale fixed-structure offshore photovoltaic installation. The project is designed for harsh marine environments and includes large-scale battery storage to support stable output.

China Energy Investment Corp. (CHN Energy), through its subsidiary Guohua Investment, completed the grid connection of the 1 GW HG14 project in late December 2025. The facility is situated approximately 8 km off the Dongying coast and spans approximately 1,223 hectares of shallow sea. It is also the first project of this size to be approved under the new national regulations governing the utilisation of three-dimensional marine space.

Engineers built the plant using fixed-pile foundations to withstand waves and seasonal sea ice. The site hosts thousands of steel platforms supporting more than 2.3 million high-efficiency solar modules. Developers state that the offshore setting improves output compared to land projects due to cooler air temperatures and reflected light from the water surface.

Electricity is transmitted to shore through dedicated subsea and onshore cable networks. The project includes a 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system to stabilise supply and improve grid integration. This pairing is expected to enhance transmission efficiency and reduce related costs.

At full capacity, the plant is expected to generate about 1.78 TWh of electricity annually, meeting a majority of the Kenli district’s power needs while reducing coal use and emissions. The site also pilots a dual-use model, with aquaculture taking place beneath the solar arrays.