Rudong, a coastal county in East China's Jiangsu province, is emerging as a leader in renewable energy with its innovative integration of solar and wind power.

Along its 86-kilometer coastline, more than 280 hectares of photovoltaic panels gleam under the sun, while massive wind turbines spin in the distance. This area is not only home to Asia's largest offshore wind power cluster but also represents a new path in efficient, multi-energy marine development.

The Rudong Integrated Photovoltaic (PV)-Hydrogen-Storage Project, operated by CHN Energy's Guohua Energy Investment, became fully operational last April. It stands as China's largest intertidal zone offshore photovoltaic demonstration project.

Offshore, the county's wind farms boast an installed capacity of 4.83 million kilowatts, forming the largest county-level offshore wind power cluster in China.

Offshore wind power generation facilities at Yangkou Port. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

According to Zhou Hua, chief engineer at the development and reform commission of Rudong, the county aims to surpass 10 million kilowatts in new energy generation capacity during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.

Currently, the total installed capacity exceeds 8 million kilowatts, with annual electricity generation far surpassing local consumption, earning it the title of a "county of green energy".

Efforts are underway in Rudong to build a new power system suitable for large-scale renewable energy. Han Shu, director of the Control Center at the State Grid Rudong Power Supply Company, emphasized the company's efforts to create a replicable Rudong model for the large-scale, intensive development of new energy in coastal areas.

As of the first quarter of this year, Rudong's wind and solar new energy generation has reached 3 billion kilowatt-hours.

Rudong's approach not only yields ecological benefits but also economic gains, setting technical standards for tidal photovoltaics and offshore wind power, thereby attracting related industries.