China Launches 1GW Offshore Solar Giant While America Watches From Shore

China has powered up the world’s first gigawatt-scale offshore solar farm. The HG14 project, commissioned in December 2025 off Dongying’s coast in Shandong province, is making waves. Literally. Spanning 1,223 hectares of shallow coastal waters, this engineering marvel sits just 8 kilometers from shore.

Let’s talk numbers. A whopping CNY 8.1 billion ($1.2 billion) investment by Guohua Investment under China Energy Investment Corp. And what did they get? A solar beast with 2,934 steel platforms floating above 1-4 meter deep waters.

The price tag: CNY 8.1 billion for nearly 3,000 steel platforms floating in shallow waters. China doesn’t think small.

Each platform is massive—60 by 35 meters. That’s five basketball courts. Per platform. The whole setup rests on 11,736 steel piles designed to withstand force-11 gales and sea ice. The innovative fixed-pile design ensures stability against environmental challenges including wind, waves, tides, and seasonal sea ice. Pretty impressive for something floating in the ocean.

The farm packs over 2.3 million bifacial modules tilted at 15 degrees. Smart design. These modules don’t just soak up direct sunlight—they capture reflections off the water too. Genius move. This offshore positioning boosts efficiency by 5% to 15% compared to land-based systems. Cooler temperatures, more reflection, more power.

Meanwhile, America watches. No gigawatt-scale offshore solar here.

The electricity moves through 66 kV subsea cables to a 220 kV onshore substation, with a 100 MW/200 MWh storage system for backup. All this engineering produces 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours annually—enough to power 2.67 million urban residents and cover 60% of Kenli district’s electricity needs. Built by China State Construction, the project represents an impressive feat of engineering and renewable energy innovation.

Environmental impact? It’s avoiding 1.34 million tons of CO₂ emissions each year. That’s equivalent to saving over 500,000 tonnes of coal. This project aligns perfectly with the global shift toward green revolution solutions that preserve our environment while meeting growing energy demands.

But here’s the kicker—they’re farming under these panels. Fish, seaweed, who knows what else. Dual-use marine space. One area, two revenue streams.

China’s not just building solar farms anymore. They’re creating floating solar empires while integrating aquaculture beneath. It’s a bold move in the renewable energy race.