China has begun full-capacity grid-connected operation of its deepest offshore wind power project, marking a new breakthrough in the country's push into deep-sea renewable energy development.

Developed by China Huaneng Group, the Huaneng Shandong Peninsula North offshore wind farm has a total installed capacity of 504 megawatts and comprises 42 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 12 megawatts.

Located around 70 kilometers off the coast of east China's Shandong Province, the site sits in waters 52 meters to 56 meters deep, making it China's deepest commercial offshore wind project to date.

The project features several technological innovations tailored for deep-sea conditions. Specifically, it has adopted a four-pile jacket foundation, which ensures stability in complex seabed environments. The structure's maximum height is 83.9 meters, the tallest of its kind in China.

To complete the installation of a 95.6-kilometer subsea cable, engineers also deployed a combination of drones and magnetic-field-assisted techniques.

According to project manager Wang Jinshou, the team utilized the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System to develop high-precision positioning technology, enabling millimeter-level accuracy in underwater pile installation. Combined with intelligent installation systems, this reduced the time required for installing a single turbine’s foundation from 48 hours to 29 hours.

The wind farm is expected to generate approximately 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, saving about 500,000 tonnes of standard coal per annum.