Rudong county is fast expanding its wind power sector. In 2021, 11 offshore wind power plants were completed which are now running at full capacity. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Electricity generated by the 30 wind power plants in Rudong county – a national model for green energy, administered by Nantong city in East China's Jiangsu province – hit 6.79 billion kilowatt-hours last year, surging 77.71 percent on the previous year, according to an announcement on Jan 10.

With its latest wind turbine hooked up on Dec 16, the giant Rudong offshore wind power project comprised of 30 offshore wind power plants – the largest of its kind in Asia – was connected to the national grid and running at full capacity.

A total of 11 offshore wind power plants were completed and put into operation last year, generating on-grid electric energy of over 2.2 billion kWh.

"This year, the on-grid electric energy generated by wind power plants will hit 15.68 billion kWh, transmitting more clean energy to the Yangtze River Delta region," said Zhang Jun, deputy director of Rudong's development and reform commission.

After nearly 20 years of development, Rudong has created a relatively complete onshore and offshore wind power supply chain covering equipment manufacturing, on-site construction and facility maintenance.

At the preliminary stage of the project's construction, the wind power equipment was completely imported. Nowadays, the wind turbines, fan blades, towers and jackets are all supplied by local firms.

Currently Rudong is home to 77 enterprises operating in the sector, making it the nation's first offshore wind power characteristic industrial base recognized by the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center, directly under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

By the end of last year, some 35 billion kWh of electricity had been generated by wind power facilities in Rudong and connected to the national grid. Compared with thermal power generation, an estimated 12.26 million tons of standard coal was saved, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 42.04 million tons and sulfur dioxide emissions by 122,600 tons.