Mingyang Smart Energy is the world’s largest private producer of wind turbines in China. For years, the company has worked on producing the largest possible wind turbines, because they are more efficient in turning wind to electricity, and thus, cheaper in the long run. In 2023, the company launched the world’s largest 18-MW wind turbine, but now, Mingyang has installed an even larger 20-MW offshore wind turbine.
Not surprising at all, since one of Mingyang’s main objectives is to build the largest turbines, and their latest attempt is truly massive. The wind rotor of the 20-MW turbine alone has a diameter of 958 ft (292 m), equaling a sweeping area of a staggering 720,816 sq ft (66,966 sq m). For reference, that is 8.5 times the White House grounds or about 10 baseball/soccer fields.
The power numbers this turbine produces are equally impressive. According to Mingyang, with an annual average wind speed of 8.5 m/s (19 mph), the 20-MW wind turbine can generate a whopping 80 million kWh of electricity. That is enough for the full electricity needs of 96,000 residents annually, making such large turbines a real alternative to coal-burning power plants. The company says that its largest wind turbine is reliable, lightweight, and modular, too. As for durability, it should serve for years to come, as it’s designed to withstand typhoons f up to 178.5 mph (79.8 m/s).
The world’s largest wind turbine is designed to be offshore only, which further enhances its efficiency. Namely, the wind speeds are higher offshore than on land, but it’s also much easier to transport such large wind turbines with ships. With a blade measuring almost 500 ft (150 meters), and an even longer tower, land shipping would be next to impossible.
Impressed by the world’s largest turbine? Mingyang Smart Energy is already working on a 22-MW unit, which should be installed next year, measuring a swept area of 812,427 sq ft (75,477 sq m). Imagine the wind turbines we will bear witness to in the next few decades!
