China has launched its largest intertidal wind farm.

The pilot offshore wind farm in Rudong county, Jiangsu province, by Longyuan Power, China’ s largest wind power developer “will lead the way for China to develop offshore wind power, particularly in site selection, planning and design, installation and maintenance,” said Longyuan General Manager Xie Changjun, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Construction on the facility began in June 2009 with a $397 million investment for the 150-megawatt first phase, expected to be completed in March.

In the launch, 99.3 megawatts were connected to the grid.

Rudong’s intertidal wind farm will generate 330 million kilowatts of electric power for the grid, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 267,000 tons and sulfur dioxide by 1,940 tons while saving 97,000 tons of standard coal, Longyuan Jiangsu Offshore Wind Power says.

Intertidal refers to areas that are above water at low tide and under water at high tide.

So far the 102-megawatt Shanghai East Sea Bridge Offshore Wind Farm is China’s only other commercial-scale offshore wind facility, operating since June 2010.

China has a great potential for offshore wind turbines, up to 750 gigawatts, or three times that of onshore wind resources, says China Meteorological Administration, with industrial centers on the eastern and southern coasts showing the greatest promise.

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