The PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power (JRC) under the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly co-organised the International Conference on Offshore Wind Science, Technology and Engineering 2026 (ICOW STE 2026), held in Guangzhou from 14 to 16 August 2026. As a landmark international event in the offshore wind sector, the conference attracted over 200 onsite participants, bringing together leading scholars, industry experts, engineers, and stakeholders from around the world. They gathered to address the critical scientific, technological, and engineering challenges associated with offshore wind energy development, particularly as the sector continues to expand into deeper and more distant water.
Under the theme "Empowering Industry Through Scientific Research and Technology Integration", ICOW STE 2026 provided a high-level platform for academic exchange, technology sharing and industry collaboration. The conference promoted cross-sector dialogue on the coordinated development of the offshore wind value chain, from fundamental scientific research and technological innovation to engineering demonstration and industrial application. The event was chaired by Prof. Richard Ronghua ZHU of Zhejiang University, Director of the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Laboratory and Professor of Practice at RILS. Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS and Co-director of the JRC, and Prof. ZHAO Xiao Lin, Associate Director of RILS, served as Scientific Committee Members and moderated the plenary sessions, contributing to the conference's strong academic leadership and scientific impact.
Through in-depth exchanges among international experts from academia and industry, ICOW STE 2026 showcased the latest technological frontiers in offshore wind power, including floating foundations, hydrodynamics, intelligent operation and maintenance, offshore structures, cluster-based development and wind-wave energy integration. The conference also fostered new opportunities for international collaboration, technology transfer and strategic partnerships.
By co-organising ICOW STE 2026, RILS and the PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory JRC reaffirmed their commitment to advancing offshore wind science and engineering, supporting clean energy innovation and contributing to the global sustainable energy transition.
| Research Units | Research Institute for Land and Space |
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