Press Release. Hitachi Energy will supply the pioneering WindSTAR™ transformers and high-voltage hybrid switchgear Plug and Switch System (PASS) to China’s Tuci offshore wind power project. These solutions will enable the wind farm to operate steadily and reliably at 66-kilovolt (kV) voltage level, thus promoting the efficient utilization of offshore wind power and optimizing the local energy structure.

Developed by China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), the offshore wind power project is located in the sea area off the northeast coast of Xiangshan, Ningbo city in Zhejiang province. Targeting an installed capacity of 280 megawatts (MW), the farm will have 35 wind turbines, each with an 8 MW capacity, and transmit power to shore with a 66 kV submarine cable connected to the onshore booster station which will efficiently integrate renewable energy into the grid and provide green electricity to local households.

In recent years, the wind power industry has rapidly developed in China, accounting for 14%1 of the country’s total power capacity. As the country continues to leverage its abundant offshore wind resources, wind turbine capacity and the transmission voltage continue to increase, supporting the expansion of offshore wind power and increasing efficiency.

To ensure the high capacity and reliability, high-performance 66 kV WindSTAR power transformers and 72.5 kV high-voltage hybrid switchgears PASS M00-Wind will be installed in each turbine, both part of Hitachi Energy’s OceaniQ™ portfolio for offshore applications. The solutions will help achieve longer transmission distances, reduce losses, and enable the cost-effective operation of the offshore wind farm.

Both OceaniQ™ solutions are specially designed to fit inside the narrow space of a wind turbine and address the challenges of the offshore environment. The compact equipment can withstand strong vibrations, sudden movements, corrosion, and salt mists. WindSTAR transformers are eco-efficient and fire safe by using biodegradable ester fluids as an insulation liquid. The hybrid switchgear is the first of its kind to enable the collection grid between the wind towers to operate at 66 kV (link), which typically operates at 35 kV. PASS M00-Wind can be further integrated with a digital motor drive and local control cabinet with built-in intelligence for monitoring and diagnostics.

“As a global technology leader, Hitachi Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of transformers and high-voltage products to overcome the complexities of the offshore wind power system, help withstand the harsh offshore environment and integrate large-scale renewable energy,” said Gustavo Luengo, Global Product Group Manager Power Transformers at Hitachi Energy. “We are pleased to work on this project with customers to deploy advanced solutions at the 66 kV level for the Tuci offshore wind project, jointly accelerating the development of clean energy in China.”

Zhejiang is abundant in offshore wind resources with sound grid conditions to integrate wind power. As a major investment project in the province, the Tuci offshore wind power project is set to be completed and operational by the end of 2022 with an estimated annual power generation of around 840 million kWh, reducing harmful gas and soot emissions by about 570,000 tons2. Making full use of the province’s rich wind resources, this project will help balance the electricity supply and demand, optimize the area’s energy mix, and significantly contribute to China’s 2060 carbon-neutrality goal.