China’s CSSC Haizhuang unveils 18-MW mega-turbine

Key components for the huge turbine, including the nacelle, were unveiled at a launch ceremony earlier this month.

In 2022, the company said it was developing a 16.7-MW offshore wind turbine, but the H260-18.0MW – which has a rotor diameter of 260 m – is even larger than that unit, and the 16.6-MW offshore wind turbine recently announced by fellow Chinese company MingYang Smart Energy.

CSSC Haizhuang Wind Power said the turbine has a swept area of 53,000 m². According to the Chinese company, the H260-18.0MW turbine is "based on mature technology" and its existing geared drivetrain concept.

At 18 MW, the turbine is even larger than those unveiled in recent years by Western manufacturers such as GE Renewable Energy, Vestas and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

As recently highlighted by OWJ, Chinese turbine OEMs such as CSSC Haizhuang and MingYang Smart Energy  are making huge strides in the offshore wind market. Towards the end of 2022, Goldwind Technology and China Three Gorges rolled out the nacelle for a 16-MW offshore wind turbine that is as large as anything Europe currently has to offer.