Haifeng Heart Platform Sets Sail
China has achieved a new global milestone by launching the Haifeng Heart, the largest offshore energy platform ever built, from the port of Nantong. The platform is now en route to the Yangjiang coast, where it will support wind farm operations. Developed by the ZPMC corporation, this project marks a significant advancement in marine energy infrastructure.
Weighing 25,000 tons, the Haifeng Heart boasts massive dimensions: 85.5 meters in length, 82.5 meters in width, and 44 meters in height. It is designed to serve two wind farms—Three Gorges Yangjiang Qingzhou V and Qingzhou VII—which together have a total capacity of 2 gigawatts. Once operational, the hub is expected to supply approximately six billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to the grid each year.
Technological Breakthroughs
The Haifeng Heart project has set six official industry records, including the world’s highest single-unit transmission capacity of 2,000 megawatts. A record voltage level for offshore platforms has been achieved at ±500 kilovolts. Engineers behind the project integrated both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) transmission technologies into a single system.
“Due to the hub’s colossal size, engineers had to abandon standard design approaches,” said Yan Bing.
Additionally, the platform features the first centralized flexible transmission system, with submarine cables rated at ±525 kilovolts. These technological innovations help reduce energy losses during long-distance power transmission via underwater routes. According to ZPMC’s press office, this “provides direct access to high-quality wind resources located in deep, remote waters more than 100 kilometers from the coastline.”
This launch underscores China’s substantial progress in renewable energy. In a separate development, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned new launches of the Starship V3 rocket, issuing the decision five days after a test flight. The FAA classified the hard landing of the rocket’s lower stage as an emergency incident.
The deployment of the Haifeng Heart represents a major step for China in expanding offshore wind energy, enabling the country to significantly boost its renewable power output. It also highlights China’s growing ambitions in clean energy technology and innovation. Amid global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, such projects could play a key role in meeting sustainable development goals.
In addition to the Haifeng Heart's impressive capabilities, another significant project is underway in China, involving the transportation of a 44-meter offshore energy hub designed for wind farms. This initiative highlights the country's ongoing commitment to enhancing its renewable energy infrastructure and expanding its technological prowess in the offshore sector.