- World’s first gigawatt-scale floating solar power system launches off China’s eastern coast.
- The 1,223-hectare installation has annual output of 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours.
China has expanded its renewable energy portfolio with a pioneering floating solar power installation in the Yellow Sea. The one-gigawatt facility, activated by state-owned utility CHN Energy, transforms unoccupied ocean space into a clean energy powerhouse while supporting marine aquaculture beneath its vast solar arrays.
Located off Shandong Province’s coastline, the floating solar power plant stretches across 1,223 hectares of the ocean surface, positioning photovoltaic panels eight kilometres from Dongying City’s shore. The installation’s scale and innovative design mark a significant shift in how nations might approach renewable energy infrastructure in marine environments.
The facility, constructed by CHN Energy’s subsidiary Guohua Energy Investment Co., demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale marine solar installations. When operating at total capacity, the floating solar power system will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 2.67 million urban residents while preventing the emission of 1.34 million tons of carbon dioxide.
The installation features advanced marine engineering, utilising large-scale offshore steel truss platforms secured by fixed pile foundations. The platforms, designed specifically for open-sea conditions, support the array of photovoltaic panels while ensuring structural stability in the maritime environment.
The project’s power transmission system marks another technical milestone, implementing China’s first 66-kilovolt offshore-to-onshore cable configuration for high-capacity, long-distance transmission in the photovoltaic sector. This infrastructure development paves the way for future offshore renewable energy projects.
According to a company statement, the solar farm’s annual output translates to significant environmental gains, with projected savings of 503,800 tons of standard coal. These metrics align with China’s broader carbon reduction targets and demonstrate the scalability of offshore solar technology.
Maximizing ocean space: the dual-use approach
The project introduces an innovative dual-use model, integrating fish farming operations under the solar arrays. This approach maximises the economic potential of the ocean space while maintaining its ecological function. The combination of aquaculture and energy generation could serve as a blueprint for future maritime infrastructure projects.
Each platform measures 35 meters in width, and the facility employs a 66-kilovolt offshore cable paired with an onshore cable for high-capacity, long-distance transmission – the first such implementation in China’s PV sector.
Impact on global renewable energy development
This installation demonstrates the viability of large-scale offshore solar projects. Key advantages include:
- Efficient use of available ocean space
- Natural cooling effects from seawater, potentially improving panel efficiency
- Reduced land-use pressure on coastal regions
- Strategic positioning near population centres
- Integration opportunities with existing maritime industries
The project provides valuable data for the renewable energy sector, particularly regarding marine-based solar installations’ performance and maintenance requirements. Its implementation offers insights for coastal regions worldwide facing similar energy and land-use challenges.
As coastal nations seek to expand their renewable energy capacity, this project offers a tested template for large-scale offshore solar deployment.
The facility’s operational data will help inform technical standards and best practices for future marine solar installations. Its data insights could accelerate the adoption of offshore solar technology in other regions, particularly in countries with extensive coastlines and growing energy demands.
