Island wind farm repowering advances with grid support

The repowering upgrade project at the Qushan Wind Farm of Zhejiang Saili Wind Power was finished on May 9, with the hoisting and commissioning of the final 6.25 millivolt (MW) turbine. State Grid Zhoushan Power Supply Co (State Grid Zhoushan) provided detailed services and end-to-end support throughout the project, ensuring the efficient delivery of this key technical transformation project in Zhejiang province. In doing so, it contributed its expertise to the expansion and improvement of clean energy on Zhoushan's islands and supported China's dual-carbon goals.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Qushan Wind Farm repowering project is a key technical transformation project of Zhejiang province, with a total investment of 529 million yuan ($74 million). The project involves decommissioning 48 outdated 0.85 MW turbines and installing 17 new high-efficiency 6.25 MW units, raising the total installed capacity to 106.25 MW. After the project was launched, the company established a dedicated service task force and regular coordination mechanism to provide support throughout the construction process.

The company was involved since the planning phase, actively participating in feasibility studies and grid-connection scheme reviews, optimizing the interconnection system design, and refining transmission line infrastructure plans. Technical specialists oversaw critical stages including turbine dismantling, foundation pouring, equipment hoisting, and installation & commissioning, rigorously enforcing safety and quality standards for grid integration. Meanwhile, the company opened a green channel for new energy grid connections, efficiently completing application processing, scheme approvals, and dispatching agreement signings, saving valuable time.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Located on Qushan Island, the project faced challenges such as narrow transport roads, difficult offshore wind conditions, and frequent typhoons and tidal events. State Grid Zhoushan monitored meteorological conditions in real time and dynamically adjusted grid operating modes to ensure the reliable power supply for construction activities and surrounding areas. Addressing technical priorities such as voltage stability and frequency regulation for large-capacity turbine grid integration, the company conducted specialized analyses and optimized grid-connection startup procedures to ensure success on the first attempt. During critical milestones such as hoisting and commissioning, professional personnel were stationed on-site to respond promptly to contingencies. Additionally, the company coordinated closely with Saili Wind Power and construction contractors to resolve issues efficiently.

Following the upgrade, all 17 new turbines at the Qushan Wind Farm have met grid-connection requirements and are scheduled to achieve full-capacity grid integration by the end of May 2026. The upgraded wind farm is expected to generate over 340 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, saving approximately 103,000 metric tons of standard coal equivalent per year and reducing CO₂ emissions by 280,000 tons.

As a main force in Zhoushan's energy transition, the company has consistently supported the development of clean energy. The company has revitalized existing wind energy assets and enhanced clean energy utilization efficiency, helping to optimize the island's energy structure and build a new-type power system. Going forward, State Grid Zhoushan Co will continue optimizing the grid infrastructure and enhancing the integration and accommodation capacity for new energy sources.