Typhoon-proof blades of ‘world’s most powerful’ wind turbine break off in China

The 'world’s largest single-capacity' wind turbine that was installed in China in August has suffered blade breaks. MySE18.X-20MW prototype offshore wind turbine's blade reportedly broke off earlier in December.

Manufactured by Mingyang, the 20MW giant offshore wind turbine was installed in China’s coastal region of Hainan.

The company earlier claimed that the turbine was designed to thrive in medium-to-high wind speeds. It was also touted that it can withstand the fury of typhoons and strong winds of 79.8 m/s.

Reports claimed that the pieces of the giant blades fell from the turbine as it still spins. It's unclear what caused the blade breaks and Chinese manufacturer Mingyang, one of the world's leading turbine makers, was not immediately available for comment, reported Recharge News.

However, the offshore prototype survived super typhoon Yagi, when it swept through Asia in September. Interestingly, Yagi devastated a nearby wind farm in Hainan, but MySE18.X-20MW reportedly didn't face any issue.

Installed on August 28 in Hainan, MySE18.X-20MW offshore turbine features a modular, lightweight design with flexible power up to 20MW and a wind rotor diameter of 260-292 meters.

With an average wind speed of 8.5m/s, it can generate 80 million kWh annually, offsetting 66,000 tons of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to the annual consumption of 96,000 residents.

Earlier, Mingyang also announced the even-bigger MySE 22MW during the China Wind Power exhibition in Beijing.

The turbine will boast a staggering rated capacity of 22MW and features a 310m+ rotor equipped with carbon-fiber blades. The turbine has an enormous swept area that will allow it to produce 80GWh of power annually. Larger turbines like the MySE 22MW also drive down costs for wind developers by requiring fewer installations for the same capacity.

Wind turbines are a crucial component for the generation of clean energy at a time when the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Mingyang leads the development and production of MW-scale wind turbines, leveraging a strong supply network for versatile onshore, offshore, and floating solutions tailored to various wind conditions.

Leveraging its R&D in offshore wind technology and expertise in typhoon-prone zones, Mingyang has debuted multiple robust, typhoon-proof offshore wind solutions fit for worldwide deployment.

"Our distinguished, award-winning components underscore our commitment to innovation, affirming our standing as a dependable ally in the offshore wind sector," said the company in a statement.

Mingyang claims that since its inception, the company has championed green development and ecological priority.

Mingyang claimed that its approach encompasses industry, employment creation, and resource development, effective generation of clean energy.

"Through these efforts, Mingyang contributes to environmental conservation, resource integration, clean energy generation and the holistic deveiopment of economies, bolstering the nationwide rural revitalization strategy," added the company in the statement.