Dongfang Electric Launches World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine

China’s Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) has unveiled the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine, a 26MW giant that is set to reshape the global offshore wind energy landscape. The turbine, launched on October 12 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, will power 55,000 homes annually and reduce CO₂ emissions by over 80,000 tons per year. This milestone underscores China’s growing dominance in the offshore wind sector, which is poised for continued rapid growth.

Innovation in Efficiency: Semi-Direct Drive Technology
The new turbine is equipped with cutting-edge third-generation semi-direct drive technology, which significantly boosts efficiency and sustainability. By reducing the consumption of rare earth magnets to just 0.1 tons per megawatt (t/MW), DEC has achieved a major breakthrough compared to traditional direct-drive turbines that typically use 0.5-0.7 t/MW. This innovation not only conserves valuable resources but also helps reduce the environmental impact of turbine production, aligning with China’s broader commitment to lowering carbon emissions.

China’s Offshore Wind Surge
China is accelerating its push into offshore wind energy, with 2023 marking a record 7.183GW of new installations—accounting for 9% of global offshore wind additions. The country’s cumulative offshore wind capacity now stands at 37.7GW, and projections suggest it will reach 45-47GW by 2025. With government subsidies and incentives fueling this growth, China overtook the UK in 2021 to become the world’s top offshore wind producer. Industry experts forecast 8-10GW of new offshore wind installations in 2024 alone.

Rising Demand for Rare Earth Magnets
The rapid expansion of offshore wind power is driving a sharp increase in demand for neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, essential for the turbines’ operation. Global Wind Energy Council reports that demand for NdFeB is expected to grow by 28% from 2023 to 2025, pushing global production to 35,200 tons. As a result, the production of rare earth magnets is set to expand significantly to meet this demand, with implications for resource extraction, recycling, and supply chain management.