This paper develops a perturbation estimation based robust state feedback control (PERSFC) scheme of doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The combinatorial effect of nonlinearities originally stemmed from wind turbine aerodynamics, generator modelling uncertainties and wind speed randomness is aggregated as a perturbation, which is rapidly estimated online by a sliding-mode state and perturbation observer (SMSPO). Then, a linear state feedback controller is designed to fully compensate the perturbation estimate in real-time. Furthermore, only the measurement of rotor speed and reactive power is needed while no accurate DFIG model is required by the proposed approach. Under such framework, the elegant merits of conventional linear state feedback control (favourable implementation simplicity and high reliability) and nonlinear robust control (global control consistency and considerable robustness) can be wisely incorporated. Meanwhile, their inherent drawbacks could be significantly reduced. Case studies are undertaken which verify the effectiveness and superiority of PER-SFC compared to that of other classical methods. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.