On November 13, the first batch of photovoltaic units of the National Energy Group's Guohua Investment Shandong Kenli 1 million-kilowatt offshore photovoltaic project were successfully connected to the grid. This remarkable feat has crowned it as the largest offshore photovoltaic project in the world and has set a new benchmark for large-scale development not only in China but also globally.
On November 13, the first batch of photovoltaic units of the National Energy Group's Guohua Investment Shandong Kenli 1 million-kilowatt offshore photovoltaic project were successfully connected to the grid. This remarkable feat has crowned it as the largest offshore photovoltaic project in the world and has set a new benchmark for large-scale development not only in China but also globally.
Situated 8 kilometers off the coast of Dongying City in Shandong Province, this innovative project makes use of open sea areas with multi-layered rights management. Having received approval from the State Council in July, it sprawls over an area of approximately 1,223 hectares and has a total installed capacity of 1 gigawatt. The project deploys advanced construction methods, employing large steel truss platforms to install 2,934 photovoltaic platforms, each measuring 60 meters in length and 35 meters in width. It also features a distinct combination of high-capacity underwater cables and land cables for long-distance power transmission.
Once fully operational, this project is anticipated to produce an annual output of around 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours. It is estimated to save approximately 503,800 tons of standard coal per year and curtail carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.3447 million tons annually. Moreover, it adopts an integrated "fishing-light" development model that combines fish farming with solar energy generation. The projected annual earnings from aquaculture are expected to exceed ¥27 million (roughly $4 million), thereby enhancing the overall utilization value of marine resources.
In recent years, Guohua Investment has been actively contributing to Shandong Province's ambition of becoming a strong maritime province by venturing into offshore photovoltaics and securing renewable energy quotas amounting to 1.7 million kilowatts. The successful connection of this initial phase paves the way for the expansion of new productive forces and the growth of emerging industries.