CHN Energy's 1GW offshore photovoltaic (PV) project in Kenli District, Shandong Province, China, has successfully connected its first batch of PV units to the grid.

Developed by CHN Energy's Guohua Energy Investment, the project has a total installed capacity of 1GW. It is claimed to be the ‘first and the largest’ of its kind worldwide.

The offshore PV project is located 8km off the eastern coast of Dongying City and spans approximately 1,223ha.

It features 2,934 PV platforms installed using large-scale offshore steel truss platform fixed-pile foundations. Each platform measures 60m in length and 35m in width.

This project reportedly marks the first use of a 66kV offshore cable paired with an onshore cable for high-capacity, long-distance transmission in the PV sector in China. The submarine cables measure 142.5km in length while the land cables measure 143km.

The project utilises a modular power generation system with a centralised grid connection, where submarine cables link to a new 220kV onshore substation.

In addition, it utilises an integrated fishing and PV development model that combines fish farming with PV power generation to optimise the use of marine areas.

The project is expected to produce 1.78 billion kilowatt hours of power annually, meeting the needs of approximately 2.67 million urban residents in China, upon commencing full operations.

It is also anticipated to save approximately 503,800 tonnes (t) of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.344 million tonnes.

The project was approved by China's State Council and the Ministry of Natural Resources in July 2024, with submarine cable construction commencing during the same month.

In related developments, SEG Solar, a US-based solar PV modules manufacturer, has initiated a new 5GW integrated PV industrial park in Indonesia.

Located in Kawasan Industri Terpadu Batang, Central Java, this development marks a significant step in SEG Solar's global expansion strategy and its commitment to Southeast Asia.