PowerChina's large-scale offshore photovoltaic project in Qingdao, Shandong province, reached a key milestone as its first phase began supplying renewable energy to the grid on Friday, powering homes through the State Grid system.

This groundbreaking fishery-PV hybrid project was developed with an investment totaling 10.2 billion yuan ($1.42 billion). It is located in Aoshan Bay, Qingdao's Jimo district, and boasts a planned capacity of 1.15 million kilowatts.

Developed in two stages, the project's inaugural 600-MW alternating current phase is expected to generate 1.07 billion kWh of clean electricity annually—equivalent to saving 327,000 metric tons of coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 871,000 tons, said the Shandong branch of PowerChina Renewable Energy.

The innovative project combines power generation with underwater aquaculture, creating a mutually beneficial marine ecosystem.

The major photovoltaic project forms part of Nyudao Green Energy Equipment Industrial Park, which features wind turbine manufacturing, smart shipbuilding, and industrial expansion, further strengthening the regional clean energy supply chain.