The most pressing issue in China's offshore wind power sector is the challenge of meeting the 5 million-kilowatt target set during the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan." This goal is now seen as "affirmatively impossible" given the current pace of development. Despite China's vast offshore wind resources, which could potentially support up to 510 million kilowatts, the total grid-connected capacity remains below 400,000 kilowatts—far behind the annual onshore wind power growth of 15 million kilowatts. To meet the offshore target, over 4.6 million kilowatts would need to be commissioned within the next two and a half years, a daunting task that experts say is currently unachievable.
Currently, 17 offshore wind projects have received preliminary approval from the National Energy Administration, with a combined capacity of 3.95 million kilowatts. These projects are mainly located in Hebei, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang. Additionally, 28 more projects are seeking approval, with a total planned capacity of 8.5 million kilowatts. While this signals growing interest, the actual progress remains slow.
Despite these challenges, developers are actively working on offshore wind projects. For example, after completing the first phase of the Shanghai Donghai Bridge Offshore Wind Farm, the second phase is expected to start construction later this year, with a total capacity of 119,600 kilowatts.
However, offshore wind power faces significant hurdles, including high costs and environmental complexities. Compared to onshore wind farms, offshore projects involve greater technical and logistical challenges, such as deeper waters, harsher weather conditions, and the need for specialized infrastructure. The cost of offshore wind power is roughly twice that of onshore wind energy, with higher expenses for foundations, installation, maintenance, and transmission systems.
Moreover, the lack of a clear and stable pricing policy has further hindered development. Offshore wind farms require substantial investment in submarine cables, transformers, and other equipment, making them more expensive than their onshore counterparts. With limited domestic manufacturing capabilities and reliance on imported components, the financial risks remain high. Without a supportive tariff structure, it is difficult for developers to justify large-scale investments in offshore wind.
In addition to cost issues, technological limitations also pose a major barrier. China’s offshore wind technology is still in its early stages, with limited experience in designing, building, and maintaining offshore turbines. The need for corrosion-resistant materials, advanced grid integration, and reliable operation in challenging marine environments adds to the complexity.
While China has abundant offshore wind resources and strong demand near coastal regions, achieving the full potential of offshore wind power will require overcoming multiple obstacles. From basic resource assessments to technological innovation and policy support, the path forward is long and complex. But with continued efforts and strategic planning, the vision of a thriving offshore wind industry in China may yet become a reality.
Elevator Inspection Box,Elevator Maintenance Box,Emergency Lighting for Elevator Pit,Elevator Handheld Maintenance Light
Suzhou FUJI Precision Elevator Co.,Ltd , https://www.profuji.com