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China operates the world's most powerful wind turbine

Sep 28, 2025

Beijing [China], September 28: China on September 27 successfully operated the world's most powerful airborne wind turbine, marking a major step forward in the renewable energy industry and consolidating the country's leading position in the global green transition.
During tests from September 19 to 21 in the Xinjiang desert (western China ), the S1500 turbine model - about the size of a basketball court and as high as a 13-story building - became the first airborne wind turbine to generate 1 megawatt of power, according to the South China Morning Post .
Unlike traditional wind turbines built on giant steel towers, this wind turbine uses a helium-filled casing to lift the power generation system into the air, then transmits electricity to the ground via heavy-duty cables.
By harnessing strong, steady winds at thousands of meters high, the technology reduces construction materials by about 40% and lowers electricity costs by up to 30%, according to Awes Energy Technology. Awes Energy Technology plans to mass produce the turbines from 2026.
However, experts say the technology still faces many challenges, from ensuring safe operation in extreme weather conditions to reducing costs low enough to compete with other traditional energy sources, according to the Beijing Daily .
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper