Rudong offshore wind farm has surpassed 10 TWh of electricity generation, marking a major operational milestone for China’s offshore wind sector. The 800 MW project reached the milestone on August 11 after operating for more than 1,600 days. It sits in the Yellow Sea off Rudong County, Jiangsu Province, and entered full operation in 2021.
The project combines large-scale offshore generation with advanced power transmission infrastructure. It also demonstrates how flexible direct-current technology can support long-distance offshore electricity delivery.
The project carries an estimated investment of about $2.1 billion. Earlier Chinese reporting placed its investment at approximately 14.3 billion yuan.
Rudong Offshore Wind Farm Reaches Major Generation Milestone
The project has maintained 99.5% availability since achieving full-capacity grid connection. Consequently, its cumulative generation now equals the annual electricity consumption of about four million homes.
Furthermore, the project has saved approximately three million tones of standard coal. It has also avoided about 7.4 million tones of carbon dioxide emissions.
The achievement highlights the construction value of reliable offshore generation assets. It also demonstrates the long-term benefits of integrating generation and transmission systems during project development.
China Three Gorges developed the 800 MW project through its renewable energy operations. The development comprises the H6 and H10 offshore wind areas, each providing 400 MW.
The project uses 200 wind turbines rated at 4 MW each. Shanghai Electric supplied the turbines for the development.
Rudong Offshore Wind Farm Advances Flexible DC Construction
The project stands out because it uses a ±400 kV flexible direct-current transmission system. This system transfers electricity from the offshore facilities toward the onshore grid.
The transmission arrangement includes offshore converter infrastructure and submarine cables. The DC submarine cable runs for approximately 100 kilometres.
According to China Three Gorges, the system reduced transmission losses by approximately 1.2 percentage points. It has also saved more than CNY735 million in cumulative transmission costs.
The offshore converter station represents another major construction achievement. It weighs approximately 22,000 tonnes and stands about 15 storeys high.
China Three Gorges installed the converter station in August 2021. The facility became China’s first offshore ±400 kV flexible DC wind power transmission project.
Meanwhile, Zhongtian Technology supported turbine foundation construction and offshore installation. Its scope also included 220 kV and 35 kV submarine cable works.
The construction team deployed specialized installation vessels to support offshore works. These included Zhongtian 7, Zhongtian 8, Zhongtian 9 and Yuanwei No. 8.
Project Construction Reinforces Offshore Wind Capacity
The Rudong development forms part of a broader offshore wind cluster in Jiangsu. The wider CTG Rudong cluster includes H8, H6 and H10, reaching 1.1 GW.
China Three Gorges fully connected the wider 1.1 GW cluster to the grid on December 25, 2021. The milestone occurred alongside other major offshore wind connections.
The 800 MW project therefore provides more than additional renewable generation. It also creates a construction model for integrating offshore turbines with high-capacity transmission.
Its performance now provides operational evidence for flexible DC technology in large offshore wind developments. Moreover, the project demonstrates the importance of transmission infrastructure alongside turbine construction.
The Rudong offshore wind farm also reflects China’s rapid advancement in offshore turbine technology. This development follows the country’s continued push toward larger and more powerful offshore wind machines. China’s latest offshore turbine milestone is covered in our detailed report on the world’s largest offshore wind turbine. The 26 MW Dongfang Electric turbine features a rotor exceeding 300 metres and can generate up to 100 GWh annually. This progression could support higher generation from future offshore wind projects while reducing the number of turbines required for equivalent capacity.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Rudong Offshore Wind Farm.
Type: Offshore wind power generation and transmission project.
Location: Huangshayang Sea, Rudong County, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
Installed capacity: 800 MW.
Configuration: Two 400 MW offshore wind farms, H6 and H10.
Turbines: 200 Shanghai Electric wind turbines, each rated at 4 MW.
Transmission technology: ±400 kV flexible direct-current transmission.
DC submarine transmission distance: Approximately 100 kilometres.
Offshore converter station: Approximately 22,000 tonnes and 15 storeys high.
Estimated investment: Approximately $2.1 billion.
Construction start: 2020.
Full operation: 2021.
Generation milestone: More than 10 TWh on August 11, 2026.
Availability: 99.5% after more than 1,600 operating days.
Avoided emissions: Approximately 7.4 million tonnes of CO₂.
Standard coal savings: Approximately three million tonnes.
Transmission savings: More than CNY735 million.
Project Team
Developer and project owner: China Three Gorges Corporation and its renewable energy subsidiaries.
H6 Project Company: Three Gorges New Energy Nantong Company.
H10 Project Company: Three Gorges New Energy Rudong Company.
Wind turbine supplier: Shanghai Electric.
Foundation and turbine installation contractor: Zhongtian Technology Group Offshore Engineering Company.
Submarine cable contractor: Zhongtian Technology, including ±400 kV flexible DC cable supply and laying.
Engineering and design consultant: East China Survey and Design Institute.
H10 construction contractor: Chongqing Waterway Engineering Bureau.
Onshore converter station contractor: Jiangsu Power Construction No. 3 Company.
H10 foundation and marine works: Nantong Ocean Water Conservancy Engineering Company.
Offshore booster station contractor: Zhenhua Heavy Industry.
Steel pipe and tower tube supplier: Haili Wind Power Company.
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