China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) has launched its first offshore wind project, with the first batch of monopiles for the Xuwen East II wind farm in Zhanjiang, southern China's Guangdong province, shipped from eastern China's Zhangjiagang port.

The 300 MW project, located off the coast of Xuwen county in Zhanjiang, will install 21 turbines of 14.3 MW each and is equipped with a 220 kV offshore substation.

The EPC contract was awarded to a consortium led by China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute, together with CNNC Huaxing, CCCC Third Harbor Engineering and Jiangsu Dongdian Electric Power Construction. Goldwind won the contract for wind turbines including towers and auxiliary equipment, while Guangxi Lanshui Marine Engineering won the contract for the upper block of the offshore substation and auxiliary steel structures.

Once operational, the project will generate 1.00 TWh of green electricity annually, equivalent to saving 290,600 tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 773,100 tonnes. It supports the development of renewable resources in the region and helps Guangdong build a 10 GW offshore wind base in western Guangdong.