World's First 16-Megawatt Tension Leg Floating Wind Platform Starts Operations

The world's first 16-megawatt tension leg floating wind platform has been officially commissioned. The platform employs tension leg mooring technology, using vertical tension legs to secure the floating foundation to the seabed. Compared with conventional floating structures, it delivers greater stability and resistance to wind and waves in deep-water environments. With a single-unit capacity of 16 megawatts, the platform will be connected to the grid once operational, offering a new technical pathway for offshore wind development.

The commissioning marks the transition of tension leg floating wind technology from the demonstration phase to scaled application. The mooring system adopted by the platform effectively reduces displacement under complex sea conditions, improving both power generation efficiency and equipment safety. Operating data from the project will serve as a reference for the optimisation and engineering implementation of similar platforms in the future.

Tension leg floating wind platforms are suitable for waters deeper than 60 metres, overcoming the limitations of fixed-bottom foundations in deep-water areas and expanding the scope of offshore wind development. The commissioning has also driven the accumulation of technical expertise across the related supply chain, including floating foundation manufacturing, mooring system installation and deep-sea construction, laying the groundwork for future project development.