Enhanced Assessment of Offshore Wind Resources for the Southeastern Coastal Region of China Using 4‐km WRF Modeling

Abstract

Offshore wind energy development in China's coastal regions represents a critical pathway toward achieving carbon neutrality goals, yet accurate resource assessment remains challenging due to complex marine meteorological conditions. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of offshore wind resources in Fujian Province using convection‐permitting Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with 4‐km grid spacing nested in a 12‐km grid, validated against 1 year of buoy measurements and ERA5 reanalysis data. Our high‐resolution simulations reveal superior performance in capturing both routine and extreme wind conditions, with particular improvement in the critical 5–20 m/s wind speed range crucial for wind power generation. Analysis of 22 years of simulated data uncovers distinct seasonal and spatial patterns in wind resources: winter months contribute significantly higher wind power density, while the Taiwan Strait emerges as an optimal development zone with strong, stable winds and notably moderate extreme conditions. Extreme value analysis indicates that maximum wind speeds in the Taiwan Strait remain below 31 m/s during 100‐year return periods, substantially lower than surrounding areas, suggesting reduced structural requirements for wind installations. These findings provide crucial guidance for offshore wind farm siting and design, highlighting the Taiwan Strait as a prime location combining excellent wind resources with manageable extreme event risks. Our methodology and results establish a robust framework for offshore wind resource assessment in complex coastal environments, directly supporting China's ambitious renewable energy goals.