First Chinese turbines for German offshore farm face criticism in Europe

China has long dominated not only the European but also the global market for solar panels and other photovoltaic components. In recent years, however, China has also stepped up its activities in the wind energy sector. The first Chinese wind turbines are set to be used in the construction of an offshore wind farm in German waters. Concerns over unfair competition and security risks are causing headaches for European manufacturers and local associations.

The planned Waterkant offshore wind farm in the North Sea is set to be the first in Germany to use Chinese turbines. It is expected to comprise 16 turbines made by Ming Yang Smart Energy, each with an installed capacity of 18.5 MW. The wind farm is scheduled to begin operating in 2028.

European industry associations oppose the use of Chinese turbines, or at least warn of the associated risks. In addition to the negative impact on European manufacturers, according to Clean Energy Wire, they also point to security risks.

“I don't want to imagine a world in which China can shut down German wind turbines,” said Bärbel Heidebroek, president of the German Wind Energy Association. In her view, wind farms should be subject to regulation similar to that governing the telecommunications sector. “China must not dominate and control them. The same cybersecurity rules should apply to wind farms,” she added.

Cheap turbines thanks to unfair support

Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, told Bloomberg, according to the news outlet, that the EU and other European countries “will have to decide whether they consider wind energy a strategic sector before it is too late”. He said European industry “would be ready to supply turbines made in Europe”. The association says Chinese turbines are up to half the price of European ones because of “unfair Chinese state support”.

European industry associations and businesses have good reason to fear Chinese competition after imported Chinese solar panels completely overwhelmed local production. Germany has 9 GW of capacity in offshore wind farms, a figure that is expected to rise to 30 GW by the end of the decade. According to WindEurope, offshore installations in European waters should have a total installed capacity of 425 GW by mid-century for the EU to meet its climate targets.