15MW offshore wind turbines to be dwarfed by Ming Yang’s giant

Using a Y-shaped model with a dual rotor, two 25MW powertrain modules will be linked on a V-shaped tower structure to form one machine based on a floating foundation that Ming Yang says can be used in waters of more than 40 metres deep.

“The turbine offers proven typhoon resistance and opens an entirely new solution for tapping deep-sea wind resources,” says Ming Yang.

Where today’s 15MW turbine stand at least 150 metres tall from the sea level to the hub, plus another 120 metres to the tip of the blades, the new model won’t necessarily surpass them in terms of height.

Instead it will have a ‘Y’-shaped structure that essentially has two hubs, one at each end of the ‘Y’.

Ming Yang says the new model features its next-generation medium-speed compact drive technology, which has flexible-pin load equalisation, integrated lubrication and smart controls that optimise stability under extreme conditions.

“The turbine pairs high-performance blades with advanced control algorithms to deliver a significant uplift in energy output,” says Ming Yang. 

The design is highly integrated to reduce the number of components needed, which in turn reduces repair and maintenance costs. Its smart controls also predict faults, it says, preventing issues rather than having to solve them. 

The company has not said when its new ‘Y’ model will be on the market.

UK foothold

Ming Yang Smart Energy sees a bright future in the UK, announcing a major investment plan of up to £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion) in Scotland, which it says will create Britain’s first integrated offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility ‘and bring key parts of the renewables supply chain to the UK’.

A factory will build floating and fixed-bottom nacelles and blades for export as well as for the UK, with up to 3,000 jobs ultimately created, Ming Yang says.

“A number of sites in Scotland have been shortlisted, with Ardersier Port near Inverness the current preferred location, enabling the redeployment of those previously employed in the oil and gas sector,” it says.

The plans are in three stages:

Phase 1: Invest up to £750 million to create an advanced manufacturing facility for both wind turbine nacelles and blades with first production by late 2028.

Phase 2: Expand the facility and infrastructure to serve the deployment of floating offshore technology at scale in the UK.

Phase 3: Develop an offshore wind industry ecosystem around the hub, which includes manufacturing of control systems, electronics and other key components.

“We firmly believe that by moving forward with our plans to create jobs, skills and a supply chain in the UK, we can make this country the global hub for offshore wind technology,” said Aman Wang, UK CEO, Ming Yang Smart Energy. “We fully support the Government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower, and I’m confident that once the plans are approved we can make a valued contribution to this goal.”