China Connects Its Farthest Offshore Wind Project to the Grid
China has brought its farthest offshore wind power project into full commercial operation, marking a new phase in the country’s offshore wind expansion. The Three Gorges Jiangsu Dafeng Offshore Wind Power Project reached full-capacity generation and grid connection in mid-December, according to Chinese state media.
The 800-megawatt project is located in waters off Dafeng district in Jiangsu province, with its most distant turbines positioned around 85.5 kilometres from shore — the farthest offshore wind installation currently operating in China. The site includes 98 wind turbines, supported by three offshore booster stations and an offshore rescue platform, reflecting the added complexity of far-sea development.
At full capacity, the wind farm is expected to generate more than 2.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to meet the daily power needs of around 1.4 million households. Projects of this scale are particularly significant for coastal provinces, where electricity demand is high and land availability for onshore renewables is limited.
While fossil fuels still account for the majority of China’s electricity generation, wind power continues to expand rapidly. Offshore wind, though smaller than onshore capacity, plays a strategic role by supplying large volumes of low-carbon power close to major demand centres.
The Dafeng project also highlights the broader direction of offshore wind development. Many of the largest untapped wind resources lie farther from shore, where wind speeds are stronger and more consistent, but construction and grid connections are more challenging. By demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale, far-shore projects, Dafeng provides a reference point for future offshore wind expansion, including developments in deeper waters, as China works to strengthen long-term energy security and reduce power-sector emissions.