thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde and Shanghai Electric Sign Joint Development Agreement for PBU Pitch Bearing Unit
From October 20 to 22, 2025, the China Wind Power (CWP) 2025 was held at the China International Exhibition Center. As a leading global supplier of wind turbine bearings, Xuzhou Rothe Erde Slewing Bearing Co., Ltd. （XREB）attended the event.
During the exhibition, XREB and Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group officially signed a joint development agreement for the PBU (Pitch Bearing Unit). This collaboration marks a new milestone for both parties as they join forces to drive innovation in the core components of wind turbines and explore next-generation high-performance technical solutions.
With the rapid rise in demand for large-megawatt turbines, the size of key components such as hubs and blades continues to increase, leading to significantly higher transportation and installation costs for onshore projects. At the same time, in the wind power aftermarket, a large number of small-megawatt units urgently need upgrades and retrofits to improve power generation efficiency and investment returns.
In response, thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde has pioneered the PBU (Pitch Bearing Unit) concept—an integrated design that combines the pitch bearing, blade drive system, and hub into one modular unit. This innovation enables standardization and modularization of wind turbine components while simplifying transportation.
In particular, for aftermarket applications, the unique PBU structure allows for longer and more advanced blades to be adapted without altering the main turbine body, thus enabling turbine upgrades and significant increases in power generation.
The core advantage of the PBU lies in its flexible variable-diameter design. By adjusting the outer diameter of the pitch bearing, existing turbines can achieve “performance upgrades” without modifying the main structure—effectively enlarging the swept area per kilowatt and delivering higher power output and investment returns for customers.
This signing not only launches a new technological development project but also signifies an upgrade in the partnership between Shanghai Electric and XREB, from traditional procurement and delivery to a new model of “openness, collaboration, and innovation for a shared future.” Through joint R&D, both companies aim to deliver more competitive solutions to the market and enhance overall investment returns for end users.
Dr. Yang Qijun, CEO of XREB, stated: “We are honored to embark on this new journey with our strategic partner Shanghai Electric. This cooperation is not just a product order but a forward-looking technological challenge addressing key industry pain points. It perfectly reflects Rothe Erde’s mission—to create measurable value for customers through excellence in core component technologies. We will leverage our deep expertise in large bearing design, material science, and precision manufacturing to tailor a highly reliable, highly integrated, and easily replaceable PBU pitch bearing unit for Shanghai Electric.”
Exhibition Highlights
PBU Pitch Bearing Unit: The PBU (Pitch Bearing Unit) is Rothe Erde’s latest innovative product solution for the wind power sector. Its key advantage lies in the flexible variable-diameter design, enabling modular integration and simplified upgrades.
TRB Main Bearing: The TRB main bearing has achieved localized mass production at XREB, offering stronger cost competitiveness and shorter delivery cycles to better meet customer needs.
Three-Row Roller Pitch Bearing:
Featuring three raceways with line contact between rollers and raceways, this bearing offers significantly higher load capacity than ball-type bearings and is suitable for independent pitch systems and various large-megawatt turbines.