Pingtan: Rising Strong in Wind Power Development

When thinking about the world’s windiest places, Bermuda and the Cape of Good Hope may come to mind. But for many, the third location remains relatively unknown: Pingtan, an island off the eastern coast of China’s Fujian Province.

Pingtan Wind Farm（Photo/@中国平潭公众号）

A Unique Geographical Advantage

Pingtan experiences over 300 days a year with wind speeds exceeding Force 6 on the Beaufort scale, and more than 200 days with gales stronger than Force 7 — both considered strong to near-gale conditions within the 13-level global wind scale, indicating persistently high and energy-rich winds.

Lin, an expert from the Development and Reform Division of Pingtan’s Bureau of Economy and Development, explains why Pingtan is a natural hub for wind energy. “Pingtan is located at a protruding section between the Taiwan Strait and the Haitan Strait, creating a prominent ‘Funnelling effect’ that accelerates wind flow. It’s one of the most wind-rich areas in China.”

The development of wind power in Pingtan began at a relatively early stage. In 1978, the country’s first 55-kilowatt turbine was built here. In 1986, both domestically produced and foreign-donated 200-kilowatt turbines were installed on the island, with the Pingtan Wind Farm playing a key role throughout.

 A Leading Capacity

According to Lin, Pingtan’s wind power sector has made steady progress over the past two decades. After early land-based farms in the 2000s and offshore projects in the 2010s, the island is now exploring deep-sea wind energy. Today, it hosts eight wind power plants with a combined capacity of 788,300 kilowatts, generating 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

He also notes that the average wind speed here reaches 8.4 meters per second, with turbines operating effectively for over 3,800 hours annually—a figure that places Pingtan among the top-performing wind sites globally.

In 2023, the world’s largest offshore wind power unit by single-turbine capacity was connected to the grid in Fujian Province, operated by China Three Gorges Corporation—a milestone that further affirms the region’s global leadership in wind energy.

One of the turbine in Pingtan's offshore wind farm set a global record by generating 387,200 kilowatt-hours in a single day, which is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of 170,000 households simultaneously.

 News:World's Largest Offshore Wind Power Facility（Photo/CCTV）

On Jan 11, 2024, the Pingtan Shared Energy Storage Power Station project achieved full-grid connection, officially launching the province’s first large-scale centralized energy storage facility. This development marks a critical step forward in supporting offshore wind power and expanding the use of clean energy in the region.

 The Pingtan Shared Energy Storage Power Station project

（Photo/@中国平潭公众号）

A Testament to China’s Wind Power Development

Pingtan’s wind power story is not just a local chapter—it’s part of a much larger narrative of the transition to clean energy, with ripple effects far beyond its shores.

“What we’re building here is not just for Pingtan,” says Lin, “This is part of China’s contribution to solving the global energy challenge.”

Pingtan has witnessed and contributed to China’s wind power development. In the 1970s, Pingtan established a wind power experimental group and initiated the research of 55-kilowatt wind turbines, becoming one of the earliest regions in the country to set up a wind power experimental institution. After more than ten years of efforts, the wind turbines were successfully debugged and connected to the grid for power generation at Pingtan Lianhua Mountain Wind Farm in 1991, with a domestic production rate approaching 100%. 

The journey from technology import to independent innovation encapsulates China’s broader rise in green energy. By the end of 2024, China’s cumulative offshore wind power capacity was 41.27 gigawatts, accounting for 49.6% of the world’s total. And China has ranked first in cumulative installed capacity for four consecutive years, exceeding the total capacity of offshore wind power in the second to fifth ranked countries.

 A Multifaceted Benefit

The wind symbolizes more than just energy—it has become an economic catalyst for Pingtan. The wind power industry has increased local tax revenue, fostered supply chain development, and even sparked unexpected growth in tourism.

“Honestly, we didn’t plan for the turbines to become tourist attractions,” Lin says. “But more and more people are coming just to see them up close—they’re fascinated by the scale and elegance of wind energy.” He adds, “In the future, we may see more diversified business models emerge from this clean energy base.”

文字 | 李乐遥 杨宁

排版 | 杨宁