China, Guangdong: China Three Gorges Corporation has connected the first batch of turbines at its Yangjiang Qingzhou V and VII offshore wind project to the grid.
The development comprises 163 turbines rated at more than 12 MW each, providing a combined capacity of more than 1.95 GW.
Power generated by the turbines is collected through 30 circuits of 66 kV subsea array cables and transmitted to an offshore converter station. There, the electricity is stepped up and converted from 66 kV AC to ±500 kV DC for transmission approximately 70 km to shore.
The export system uses two DC subsea cables forming a single transmission circuit capable of carrying up to 2 million kWh per hour.
China Three Gorges described the development as the world’s first integrated offshore wind flexible DC transmission project. The company also said the system uses the first ±500 kV DC submarine cable developed for offshore wind.
The offshore converter station, known as the Heart of the Sea Wind, weighs 25,000 t and was installed using a float-over method.
Installation of the first turbine began in May 2025, with all 163 turbines installed within 14 months. The array also includes the 16 MW Three Gorges Lead floating offshore wind platform, connected through a 66 kV dynamic subsea cable.
Source: Offshore Engineer
