Shandong Launches Innovative Offshore Solar and Wind Energy Projects

In May, the beautiful Laizhou Bay in Shandong is witnessing the launch of a remarkable clean energy project. 760,000 offshore photovoltaic panels have created a “blue power station,” while 38 white wind turbines, each reaching a height of 100 meters, stand majestically above the tranquil waters, harnessing wind energy. Recently, a reporter from China Securities Journal visited this area to witness the full capacity grid connection of the 400 MW offshore photovoltaic project in Yantai Zhaoyuan by China General Nuclear Power Group, alongside the rapid advancement of the Laizhou offshore wind power and marine ranch integration project. This harmonious blend of technology and nature is rapidly transforming marine wind and solar energy into abundant green electricity.

Establishing a Model Offshore Photovoltaic Project

From the deck of a ship, the photovoltaic array stretches out like a blue carpet into the deep sea. The impressive 6.2-kilometer span of this blue matrix covers an area of 512.7 hectares, where 16 sets of 35 kV collection lines gather the solar power and transmit it to the mainland. “This project commenced construction on December 26, 2023, and is the deepest among the first ten offshore photovoltaic sites competitively selected in Shandong, with water depths ranging from 8.5 to 11 meters,” said Zhang Zhiwu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of China General Nuclear Power New Energy Holdings. The project integrates a green concept throughout its lifecycle, with an estimated annual power generation of 694 million kilowatt-hours, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 208,700 tons of standard coal and a decrease of around 535,800 tons of CO2, comparable to planting 1,562 hectares of forest, showcasing significant ecological and economic benefits.

Innovative Applications for Marine Environments

“China General Nuclear Power is committed to innovation-driven development, collaborating with the industry chain to overcome marine environmental adaptation technologies. Our project team has achieved significant results in photovoltaic module research and application, support unit design, and offshore piling technology,” stated Li Guangming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager. At the project site, nearly 500 hectares of blue photovoltaic components extend towards the horizon. Below this “blue ocean,” over 4,400 pipe piles provide crucial support. The project manager, Fu Hongxing, revealed that they developed a unique piling construction technique called “high-precision synchronous positioning for multiple pipe piles” and constructed the “Electric Power Construction Marine Installation No. 001,” the first intelligent and efficient piling vessel for offshore photovoltaic projects in the country. Utilizing a dual positioning system of “Beidou + GPS,” they achieve centimeter-level accuracy in pile foundation placement.

“The full-capacity grid connection of the 400 MW offshore photovoltaic project in Yantai Zhaoyuan marks another vivid practice in Shandong’s efforts to harness marine energy, promoting the transformation and upgrading of the regional energy structure. This will significantly contribute to building a diverse and complementary energy supply system and assist in establishing a modern marine economic development hub,” noted Meng Fanzhi, Deputy Director and Party Committee Member of the Shandong Provincial Energy Bureau.

Wind Power and Marine Ranch Collaboration

Facing the sea breeze, the reporter boarded a construction vessel and sailed for over an hour toward the blue waters west of Furong Island, where a magnificent scene unfolded: 38 towering white wind turbines lined up like giants, their large blades slowly turning. This site hosts the country’s first experimental project integrating offshore wind power and marine ranching. Approved by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, this 304 MW demonstration project is jointly built by China General Nuclear Power New Energy and Shandong Chengyuan Group. With a structure combining “offshore wind power + marine ranching,” it maximizes the utilization of marine resources, setting a benchmark for Shandong and the nation in creating a “blue energy + offshore grain depot” model.

According to the project leader, “Each wind turbine acts as a micro-energy station and an ecological carrier.” The project consists of 38 wind turbines, each with an 8.0 MW capacity, generating a total of 2.038 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity since its commissioning in 2022. This is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by about 612,800 tons and decreasing CO2 emissions by approximately 1,648,700 tons, comparable to planting 4,600 hectares of forest. Furthermore, the project adheres to a sustainable development philosophy, establishing kelp beds and seagrass meadows to purify water quality, providing a favorable environment for marine product growth, and creating a new model for green development that combines clean energy generation with safe aquatic products.

The integration of “offshore wind power + marine ranching” in this innovative marine area represents a vibrant effort to achieve the dual carbon goals.

Accelerating the Green Energy Network

Projects like the 235 MW photovoltaic power station in Bixi, Yunnan, and the 50 MW photovoltaic project in Ninghe, Tianjin, have successfully connected to the grid. As a leading enterprise in China’s clean energy sector, China General Nuclear Power New Energy is rapidly weaving a comprehensive green energy network. As of March 2025, the total installed capacity of operational projects reached 56.83 million kW, including 36.86 million kW from wind power and 19.31 million kW from solar energy, placing it among the top in the industry. The company plans to surpass 70 million kW in installed capacity this year.

According to a company representative, they focus on market orientation and customer-centric approaches, expanding their business beyond wind and solar energy to include three special categories: “solar thermal +,” “offshore +,” and “green electricity +.” They are actively promoting new businesses involving “thermal sea green sand hydrogen,” accelerating the construction of large desert bases, and exploring core technologies related to hydrogen production, solar thermal energy, and photovoltaic sand treatment to cultivate differentiated competitive advantages. Additionally, they are investigating comprehensive energy utilization solutions, aiming to provide the best energy solutions and supplies for their clients in areas such as regional energy, coal-to-electricity projects, clean heating, and new operational services.

From the Bohai Sea to the South China Sea, from the heart of the desert to distant ocean waters, China General Nuclear Power, as a clean energy giant, is rowing forward with innovation amid the waves of the dual carbon initiative.