China installs the world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine. The turbine can generate enough electricity to power about 44,000 homes.

China Three Gorges Co., one of the largest energy companies in the world, has installed the world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine, pushing the boundaries of clean energy use.

Located in the waters off southeast China's Fujian Province, this massive structure also represents a significant leap forward in maritime engineering.

However, completing a project of this scale was far from easy. The installation site is more than 30 kilometers from the coast, where the team had to battle deep waters, unpredictable monsoon seasons, and the immense risks of working at extreme heights.

To overcome these harsh conditions, crews utilized a massive, next-generation installation vessel capable of lifting 2,000 tonnes. They used advanced positioning systems to hoist three giant blades – each nearly 150 meters long – to a height of 174 meters, eventually connecting them perfectly with the central hub.

The turbine is a flagship project for China's energy goals, featuring fully domestic parts and a lightweight design. Weighing over 20 percent lighter per megawatt than the industry average, the turbine can be built on a more affordable underwater foundation, thereby reducing costs.

Once the turbine is connected to the grid, it can generate over 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power about 44,000 homes.

From an environmental perspective, a single turbine of this scale can replace about 24,000 tonnes of coal annually and prevent 64,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.