China plans to build enough solar farms on its eastern seaboard to power New Zealand.

Shandong province, an industrial hub south of Beijing, issued a tender on Thursday to build 10 offshore solar power plants by 2025 in the waters surrounding China's largest peninsula. The planned installed capacity of 11.25 GW exceeds New Zealand's peak consumption.
The province already has the most rooftop solar installations in China and has said it will eventually build 42 gigawatts of solar and 35 gigawatts of wind in its offshore areas. China is targeting 1,200 gigawatts of wind and solar by 2030, nearly double 2020 levels, and plans by utility giants and provincial governments suggest it could be achieved years ahead of schedule.

The solar power project in Shandong, which is due to start construction this year, will be located in shallow water close to the coast. They will be anchored to fixed foundations on the seabed, unlike floating solar panels that have long been a feature of the industry. These are usually located in reservoirs or lakes, away from the waves and salt slag of the ocean.