China, Guangdong: China has completed the installation of the world’s largest single-unit floating offshore wind turbine, known as the Three Gorges Pilot, in waters near Yangjiang in Guangdong Province.
The 16-MW turbine is made up of three key components: an ultra-large wind turbine, a semi-submersible floating platform, and an advanced mooring system. With a maximum tip height of more than 270 m and a rotor diameter of 252 m, the turbine covers a swept area equal to around seven standard football pitches.
Unlike traditional fixed-bottom offshore turbines that are anchored directly to the seabed, this structure sits on a floating platform. The platform measures 80.82 m in length and 91 m in width, with a displacement of 24,100 t, allowing it to operate in deeper waters.
To keep the structure stable, it is secured using nine suction anchors. These are combined with domestically produced high-performance polyester fibre cables and anchor chains, forming a robust seabed mooring and positioning system.
According to project representatives, the new mooring design blends polyester cables with anchor chains in a way that acts like a “spring” within the system. This approach improves mechanical performance and helps the turbine better withstand offshore conditions.
The installation marks a significant step forward in floating wind technology, demonstrating China’s progress in developing large-scale offshore renewable energy solutions.
Source: Ocean-energyresources.com
