On December 1st, the construction of China's first national-level offshore wind power research, testing, and detection base, hereinafter referred to as the "offshore wind power testing base", commenced in Fujian. It emphasizes the commitment to innovation-driven development, the implementation of a strategy to strengthen enterprises through science and technology, and the promotion of a transformative development from "Made in China" to "Created in China," and further to "Led by China." This is also an important breakthrough achieved by establishing an original technology source, promoting the clean and low-carbon transformation of energy, and contributing to the construction of a new power system and a new energy system.

The offshore wind power testing base is a major planned project during China's "14th Five-Year Plan" period. It is jointly invested and constructed by State Grid Corporation of China, China Huadian Corporation, China Energy Engineering Group, and other units. The overall completion and commissioning of the project are planned for the year 2024. With the goal of establishing a world-class offshore wind power research, test, exchange, and cooperation platform, the base will be developed into an industrial ecosystem integrating "technology and research, testing and certification, equipment manufacturing, construction and installation, operation and maintenance." It is expected to fill the gap in China's high-power full-scale onshore testing platforms, with the aspiration to achieve world-leading technical capabilities in the key indicators of experimental equipment. The base will further enhance China's research, testing, and validation capabilities for offshore wind power equipment, accelerating breakthroughs in key technologies and grid connection technologies for offshore wind power equipment. This is of significant importance in elevating China's wind power technology and equipment manufacturing capabilities, promoting the high-quality development of the wind power industry, and supporting the achievement of the "dual carbon" goals.

In recent years, State Grid Corporation of China has continuously strengthened the research and experimental validation capabilities for offshore wind power equipment on the basis of its existing onshore wind power testing and validation capabilities. The offshore wind power testing base, which is currently under construction, is a crucial component of the National Key Laboratory for Renewable Energy Grid Integration. It comprises two sections: the onshore testing center and the experimental wind farm. Its primary focus is on conducting full-scale ground tests for wind turbine units, including 6-degree-of-freedom loading, simulation of super-large capacity complex power grids, high-frequency dual-axis loading tests for extra-long blades, and scientific research. The onshore testing center is located within the Jiangyin Industrial Park in Fuqing City, Fujian Province. It is situated near the Jiangyin Port terminal and is adjacent to the Three Gorges Offshore Wind Power International Industrial Park. The primary infrastructure under construction includes a 25-megawatt 6-degree-of-freedom loading platform, a full-scale ground test platform, and a 150-meter blade test platform. In the experimental wind farm, there are plans to construct 6 onshore testing locations and 20-40 offshore testing locations. The initial 20 offshore testing locations are located in the offshore area near Changle, Fujian Province.

1. The construction of offshore wind power testing bases is beneficial for enhancing the technological innovation level of China's wind power industry, seizing the commanding heights of world energy technology, and assisting in achieving a high level of technological self-reliance and self-strengthening. Since the year 2020, China has experienced rapid development in offshore wind power, entering an era of high-capacity offshore wind turbines. As of the end of September this year, the cumulative installed capacity of offshore wind power in the country has reached 31.89 million kilowatts. In comparison with existing experimental verification platforms both domestically and internationally, the offshore wind power testing base will possess comprehensive testing and verification capabilities covering all offshore wind power performance requirements specified by the latest IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards and relevant national standards. The technical indicators of the test platform, including drag capacity, load capacity, grid emulation capability, and others, will all be ranked as the world's best. It is capable of supporting tests on the world's largest capacity wind turbine units and the longest blade dimensions. Moreover, it can facilitate experiments on projects that are currently not feasible internationally, such as full-frequency impedance scans for offshore wind turbine units. The offshore wind power testing base will integrate functions such as simulation analysis, operational testing, performance evaluation, and technological research and development to ensure empirical studies on high-capacity offshore wind turbine equipment, research on grid-friendly wind power integration technology, comprehensive digital twin studies covering the entire spectrum of characteristics from individual offshore wind power units to entire field operations, and other cutting-edge international technological research in various fields. It will also take the lead in the development of international standards, tackle key core technologies in offshore wind power, and significantly enhance China's foundational research and experimental capabilities in offshore wind power.

2. The offshore wind power testing base is conducive to the deep integration of the industry chain and innovation chain, upgrading the offshore wind power industry, and driving the advancement of the industry's foundation towards a higher level and the modernization of the industry chain. The base will further enhance the innovation and service system for offshore wind power technology, providing comprehensive services for research and development, experimental verification, and communication and sharing for Chinese manufacturers of offshore wind power equipment, research institutions, operating units, and other stakeholders throughout the industry chain. It will also promote the formation of a complete industry ecosystem, accelerate product research and development upgrades, enhance China's independent research and development capabilities in the electrical equipment manufacturing industry, improve international competitiveness, and raise the resilience and safety levels of the industry and its supply chain. The base will serve as an origin of original technology, accelerating the research and development of new technologies for wind power equipment. It aims to overcome technological bottlenecks in the manufacturing of large-capacity offshore wind turbine units and large-sized blades, enhancing China's technological capabilities in manufacturing offshore wind power equipment and promoting high-quality development in the offshore wind power industry.

3. The offshore wind power testing base is conducive to the construction of new power systems and new energy systems, serving the transition of energy towards clean and low-carbon sources, and supporting the achievement of the "dual carbon" goals. Clean energy sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar power have gradually developed into the primary energy foundation for constructing a new power system in China. They play a leading role in supporting the early decarbonization of the power system and subsequently driving the energy system and the entire society towards achieving carbon neutrality. Currently, in Fujian Province, a comprehensive pattern has emerged with clean energy accounting for half of the overall energy mix, fostering a coordinated development of power sources across all categories. As of the end of October 2023, the installed capacity of clean energy in Fujian Province reached 50.27 million kilowatts, accounting for 62.6% of the province's total, of which offshore wind power installed capacity reached 3.21 million kilowatts, ranking third in the country. According to estimates, the theoretical reserves of offshore wind power in Fujian exceed 120 million kilowatts. With a number of large-capacity offshore wind turbines being connected to the grid and put into operation, the scale of offshore wind power grid connection will continue to expand. The new power system features "double high" characteristics, namely a high proportion of renewable energy and a high proportion of power electronic devices. This raises the requirements for the secure and stable operation of the power grid. A wind turbine grid-connected performance test and evaluation system and related standards based on ground tests will be formed at the base to provide efficient and reliable technical means for grid-connected tests of large-capacity offshore wind turbines. They will also improve the performance quality and grid-connection friendliness of wind turbines, ensure the safe and reliable operation of the grid with large-scale wind power access, serve the development of clean energy, and help achieve the "double carbon" goal. 

Data from the National Energy Administration of China show that as of the end of June 2023, China's renewable energy installed capacity exceeded 1.3 billion kilowatts, historically surpassing coal power. Among them, the installed wind power capacity is 389 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world for 13 consecutive years. State Grid Corporation of China will steadfastly implement and ensure the success of the new energy security strategy of "Four Revolutions and One Cooperation", practice the corporate purpose of "People's Electric Power for the People", and follow the high-quality development track of "One Body and Four Wings" to comprehensively build an internationally leading energy Internet enterprise with Chinese characteristics to charge for a better life and empower beautiful China.

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