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China is essential on the world scene with an ambitious and daring project: the commissioning of the largest floating solar park in the world. This development is part of a national strategy aimed at reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, while anticipating a peak in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This project is a strong symbol of the efforts made by China to become an undisputed leader in the field of renewable energies.
A major technological feat
The floating solar park, located off the Shandong province, extends over an impressive area of 1,200 hectares. This is equivalent to 1,680 football fields, a scale which testifies to the magnitude of the project. Composed of 2,934 photovoltaic platforms, the park uses new fixed foundations, guaranteeing optimal stability in the face of often unpredictable maritime conditions. Each module, measuring 60 meters long by 35 meters wide, is designed to maximize energy production while resisting storms and corrosion.
Capable of producing 1.78 billion kWh in electricity per year, the park meets the energy needs of 2.6 million households. This monumental project reflects China’s ability to innovate and carry out infrastructure at the cutting edge of technology, thus consolidating its position as world leader in the renewable energy sector.
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Ecological and economic impact
The Shandong floating solar park represents a significant advance for the environment. By reducing CO₂ emissions by 1.34 million tonnes per year, the project is equivalent to withdraw 290,000 cars from traffic. In addition, it saves 503,800 tonnes of coal annually, thereby reducing pollution and import costs of fossil fuels.
Economically, the investment of 1.8 billion euros in this park is colossal, but its benefits are promising. The project generates jobs in the construction and maintenance sectors, while integrating Chinese technologies on international markets. This success strengthens the country’s energy independence, reducing its dependence on coal and positioning China as a major player in the export of renewable technologies.
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Comparison with European projects
To put into perspective the magnitude of this achievement, it is interesting to compare it to similar projects in Europe. The most ambitious floating solar power plant in Europe has a capacity of 75 MW, which is considerably less than 1,000 MW of the Chinese park. In France, EDF renewable recently inaugurated a floating power plant of 20 MW in the Hautes-Alpes, a notable realization but far from Chinese performance.
| Region | Installed capacity (MW) | Project |
|---|---|---|
| Chine | 1 000 | Shandong floating solar park |
| France (EDF) | 20 | Hautes-Alpes floating power plant |
| Europe (Q Energy) | 75 | Project in Haute-Marne |
This comparison highlights the significant gap between China and other nations in terms of capacity and innovation in the renewable energies sector.
China, the engine of the global energy transition
With a solar installed capacity reaching 610 GW in 2023, an increase of 55 % compared to 2022, China increased towards its ambitious objective of 1,200 GW by 2030. This trajectory confirms the determination of the country to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and to increase the share of renewable energies in its energy mix.
The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has already started building another floating solar park of 2 GW in Jiangsu province, planned for 2025. This project will double the current installed capacity and further strengthen the position of China in the renewable energies market. This Chinese dynamism asks the question: how can other nations follow the pace imposed by China in this renewable energies race?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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