Qingdao begins installation of massive concrete structures for marine energy park

Construction has begun on a massive marine energy complex off the coast of Qingdao, Shandong province, involving the deployment of 34 enormous concrete structures. These caissons, each weighing 3,500 tons and standing as high as a five-story building, are being used to construct a 675-meter southern sea wall.

The project, part of the Qingdao Integrated Marine Energy Development Industrial Park, aims to provide infrastructure and protection for a complex integrating offshore wind energy, photovoltaic solar energy, and hydrogen activities. Each block measures approximately 16 by 24 meters and utilizes roughly 1,300 cubic meters of concrete and 150 tons of steel.

The engineering process involves lifting the blocks with large air cushions to floating piers, then transporting them via tugboats. To ensure precision, engineers utilize GPS technology and smart monitoring systems to manage the descent to the seabed, which sits at a depth of approximately 17 meters. The goal is to achieve millimeter-level accuracy during placement to withstand waves, currents, and tides.