China unveils world's largest wind turbine

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🗞️ Driving the news: China’s Mingyang Smart Energy Group is developing a record-breaking 50-megawatt offshore wind turbine—set to be the world’s most powerful
• Slated for mass production in 2026, the two-rotor turbine will be manufactured in Guangdong province, with plans to scale up to 150 units annually in a second phase
• At a cost of less than $1,404 per kilowatt, it significantly undercuts European and even Chinese competitors

🔭 The context: This leap in turbine size and affordability highlights China’s accelerating lead in the clean tech race
• While the U.S. offshore wind sector has stalled under the Trump administration, and European projects face soaring costs and declining investor interest, Chinese firms are pushing ahead with state-supported innovation and scaling

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Larger, more cost-effective turbines are critical for meeting global decarbonization targets
• Mingyang’s advancement could lower the cost of offshore wind globally, catalyze adoption, and help transition energy grids away from fossil fuels more rapidly
• However, it also puts competitive pressure on Western manufacturers who are struggling to keep pace

⏭️ What's next: Mass production begins in 2026 with 50 turbines/year and scaling to 150
• Europe’s wind leaders like Vestas are pausing expansion due to low demand, while China doubles down on offshore capacity. The global wind race is tilting sharply eastward

💬 One quote: “This turbine will be significantly cheaper than those in Europe—by a factor of nearly five,” said Mingyang Chairman Zhang Chuanwei

📈 One stat: $1,404/kW – the projected cost of Mingyang’s 50MW turbine, compared to $7,000/kW in Europe and $4,000/kW in China

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of renewable energy companies like Mingyang Smart Energy, and Vestas

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