Wind power equipment operating in high-altitude regions must withstand thinner air, significant temperature fluctuations and frequent sand and dust exposure, placing high demands on product reliability and durability. CRRC Qishuyan Institute has officially begun batch production of China’s first 15 MW onshore wind turbine main gearbox. The first two units have rolled off the production line and been loaded for delivery. After completing wind farm testing, the 15 MW wind turbine system is expected to be deployed in batch at a wind farm in Xinjiang.
The product represents a major breakthrough in large-capacity onshore wind power equipment. According to CRRC, the 15 MW turbine sets a new global record for single-unit capacity in onshore wind power and marks significant progress in the independent development of key core transmission technologies for ultra-large wind turbines.
The main gearbox is a critical component of a wind turbine, converting the low-speed rotation of the wind rotor into the high-speed rotation required by the generator. As turbine capacity increases, gearbox torque requirements rise significantly. Compared with a 10 MW gearbox, the 15 MW product increases power by 50%, while torque demand rises by approximately 80%, placing higher requirements on materials, structural design, manufacturing precision and assembly quality.
Building on more than 60 years of experience in key rail transit components, CRRC Qishuyan Institute has applied its capabilities in industrial transmission, materials and manufacturing processes to the wind power sector. In recent years, the company has developed a wind power product portfolio covering plains, mountainous areas and high-altitude environments, in support of China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
One of the core technical challenges for ultra-large gearboxes is ensuring balanced load distribution across multiple planetary gears under extreme operating conditions. CRRC Qishuyan Institute addressed this challenge through extensive simulation analysis, precision coupling and strict manufacturing process control, improving load distribution and supporting long service life and operational reliability.
The 15 MW gearbox adopts a mature high-efficiency transmission structure with three planetary stages and one parallel stage. It has passed extreme-condition testing, reliability bench testing and system matching verification by the turbine manufacturer. In January this year, the product and its transmission chain system received the “Wind Power Leader - Best Component Product Award.”
The product also demonstrates improved efficiency and lightweight design. Through topology optimization and advanced heat treatment processes, the 15 MW gearbox is approximately 6% lighter than comparable products in the same class, with torque density increased to more than 250 Nm/kg. Each unit weighs approximately 89 metric tons, reducing weight by around 5 metric tons while supporting substantially higher torque requirements. Full-condition transmission efficiency reaches up to 98%, improving performance under demanding conditions such as high wind variability and sand erosion in desert and arid regions.
The environmental benefits are also significant. According to estimates, each 15 MW wind turbine can generate more than 3 million kWh of additional electricity annually compared with the previous generation of mainstream models. This is equivalent to saving approximately 960 metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,000 metric tons per year.
The rollout of China’s first 15 MW onshore wind turbine main gearbox strengthens CRRC Qishuyan Institute’s position in large-capacity wind power transmission systems and supports the development of more efficient, reliable and lower-carbon renewable energy equipment. The company is also looking toward future applications in more complex offshore wind environments, with the aim of supporting the international development of China’s core wind power equipment technologies.
