China is racing to create a new generation of wind farms that can survive tropical cyclones and use their power. In southern China’s Guangdong province, a new skyline rises offshore. Hundreds of wind turbines now stand tall in the South China Sea, generating renewable electricity for homes, offices, and factories.
The towers, some as tall as 30-storey buildings, symbolize China’s determination for a greener future. Guangdong, one of the nation’s offshore wind hubs, already holds around 15% of all ocean turbines worldwide. Over the next five years, local authorities plan to more than double that number.
These turbines stand on the frontline of some of Earth’s most destructive weather events: typhoons. Each year, these storms hit China’s coast with enormous force.
Harnessing the storm
Typhoons bring winds of 119 km/h or more and strike East and Southeast Asia from May to November. They cause widespread destruction with collapsed buildings, flooded streets, and tragic losses. Typhoon Ragasa, which devastated southern China in September, reached speeds of 241 km/h – the world’s strongest storm this year.
These storms are the same as hurricanes but occur in different regions. When they form in the North Atlantic or northeast Pacific, they are called hurricanes; in the northwest Pacific, they are called typhoons.
Ironically, China’s coastal regions hit most often by typhoons also possess the best offshore wind potential. “It is crucial that turbines in these areas can resist typhoons and capture their energy,” says Zhu Ronghua, director of the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory, supported by the Guangdong government.
Chinese engineers lead global efforts to design typhoon-resistant turbines, explains Qiao Liming, former chief strategy officer for Asia at the Global Wind Energy Council. “The government made offshore wind a pillar of its carbon goals,” Qiao says. These goals aim to peak emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
The battle with nature
China’s national standard defines “typhoon-type” turbines as capable of withstanding average winds of 198 km/h for ten minutes. Internationally, the IEC sets “typhoon-class” standards at 205 km/h for ten minutes and gusts up to 290 km/h for three seconds. Neither is mandatory, but certification exists for verification.
Many Chinese turbines prove their strength in real storms even without certification. “If a turbine collapses, it can endanger lives and cause huge financial losses,” says a spokesperson from Goldwind, a major Chinese manufacturer.
A typical offshore wind farm in China endures around 100 typhoons during its 25-year lifespan. Past disasters show what’s at stake. In 2006, super typhoon Saomei hit Zhejiang province with 245 km/h winds, destroying 27 turbines and causing $70 million in damage.
Every part of a turbine faces immense stress during a typhoon. Blades can fracture, towers can bend, and foundations may shift under waves and currents. Rain and lightning add further danger. When wind speeds exceed limits, control systems shut down turbines remotely or automatically. Internal generators or batteries keep them operational enough to adjust direction and blade angles, minimizing damage.
Offshore turbines face higher risks than onshore ones since winds at sea are stronger, explains Xiaoli Guo Larsén, professor at the Technical University of Denmark.
Standing tall against the wind
Chinese firms now build stronger turbines through advanced materials, precise weather forecasts, and smarter control systems. One standout model is OceanX by Mingyang Smart Energy Group.
OceanX floats on a platform supporting two turbines spinning in opposite directions. This setup boosts power output by 4.29% compared to a single turbine, as the air between the blades moves faster. The structure is anchored by a single-point mooring system that allows it to rotate easily and align with wind direction. “Facing the typhoon keeps the load lowest and the turbines safest,” says chief designer Wang Chao.
The foundation uses ultra-high-performance concrete, four times stronger than normal, able to handle over 115 Megapascal of pressure. In September 2024, OceanX was installed 70 km off Yangjiang city, just before super typhoon Yagi hit the coast. The turbine endured winds up to 133 km/h and survived unscathed.
Near Yagi’s landfall, 47 Goldwind turbines faced 161 km/h winds for six hours. They generated 2.1 gigawatt-hours of electricity within nine hours – enough to power over 2,100 Chinese citizens for a year.
Goldwind achieved this through stronger carbon fibre materials and real-time monitoring systems. “Our sensors allowed staff to make immediate decisions and protect the turbines,” the spokesperson explains.
Researchers say turbines should capture typhoon gusts as long as it remains safe. “If a turbine shuts down above 88 km/h, vast energy is wasted,” says Zhang Mengqi, researcher at Global Energy Monitor.
Snapped towers and new lessons
Typhoons rarely hit Europe, but they ravage Asia and threaten U.S. coastal ambitions in the Gulf of Mexico. “China currently leads in typhoon-resistant turbine technology,” says Zhu.
China’s market is vast. Over the next decade, it will add 170 GW of new offshore wind capacity, with 60% in typhoon-prone areas, says analyst Wang Yufan from Wood Mackenzie.
Yet even advanced designs can fail. During typhoon Yagi, a wind farm in Hainan’s Wenchang city suffered heavy damage as gusts reached 223 km/h. Photos showed seven shattered turbines lying on the beach. Experts say they were new and not yet connected to power, leaving them unable to adjust during the storm.
Weeks later, typhoon Ragasa forced the evacuation of 2.2 million people in Guangdong. In Yangjiang, authorities sheltered over 160,000 residents. Journalists from Chinese media reported at least five collapsed turbines in the area. The total losses could reach $66 million, according to estimates by China Property and Casualty Reinsurance Company.
OceanX endured winds of 152 km/h during Ragasa without damage. Mingyang confirmed all 1,345 of its offshore turbines across three provinces survived. Goldwind had tracked Ragasa’s path five days in advance using its own early-warning system. Its pre-emptive plan helped 260 turbines withstand sudden gusts and a 150-degree wind shift within minutes.
Palm-tree turbines and future innovation
As turbine blades grow longer, engineers face new safety challenges. One U.S.-led project proposes “downwind” blades, inspired by flexible palm trees. Unlike conventional “upwind” blades, these sit behind the motor, bend with gusts, and use cheaper materials. Mingyang’s OceanX already uses downwind blades, though they cannot fold.
Rapid intensification of typhoons adds urgency. A 2023 study found the number of fast-strengthening storms near coastlines tripled between 1980 and 2020 due to climate change. “Manufacturers must develop faster responses and replaceable parts,” says researcher Han Yujia.
Experts believe China’s expertise can benefit Southeast Asia, which also faces yearly typhoons and seeks offshore wind energy. Still, every project must consider local wind conditions and fragile power grids, warns Qiao.
Despite the dangers, scientists see opportunity in the challenge. “Cyclones are destructive, but they push us to create stronger technology,” says Larsén. “They drive us to design turbines that endure the planet’s harshest weather.”
