Daniel Slotta
Research expert covering Greater China
Wind power in China - statistics & facts
From steppe to power source, China’s wind energy sector is revolutionizing the country’s electricity supply and taking on a global leadership role. With its vast landmasses in the north and an extensive coastline, China has optimal conditions for generating wind power. Under the guidance of the central government, the PRC has become not only the largest producer of wind power and wind power equipment, but also the world’s largest exporter.
The Chinese government has been very outspoken about its plan to develop renewable energy generation capacity. President Xi Jinping further confirmed the commitment at the 2020 U.N. General Assembly, stating that China’s emissions would reach their maximum before 2030 and that the country would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This signaled that China was willing to carry out the necessary policy initiatives and capital investments.
Even under the new economic strategy of focusing on high-tech development, exports continue to play a crucial role in China’s economy, and that is where wind power equipment fits right in. Most countries are in the process of energy transitioning in one way or another. One of the pillars of renewable energy is wind power. The latest generations of wind turbines utilize the efficiency gains from larger equipment, which requires advanced material know-how and manufacturing facilities. China, with its large manufacturing capacity and infrastructure, can set up the country to capitalize on the large international demand for wind power equipment.
Build, expand, and develop
China is in the midst of a national energy transition. With almost 500 gigawatts of wind power capacity, the country has the largest wind power capacity in the world, almost three times as much as the United States. In addition, the People’s Republic also added the most wind power capacity worldwide. According to industry estimates, the volume of newly installed wind and solar power capacity surpassed coal for the first time in 2023. Therefore, it becomes clear that the Chinese leadership decided to compensate for the new energy demand with green energy sources.The Chinese government has been very outspoken about its plan to develop renewable energy generation capacity. President Xi Jinping further confirmed the commitment at the 2020 U.N. General Assembly, stating that China’s emissions would reach their maximum before 2030 and that the country would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This signaled that China was willing to carry out the necessary policy initiatives and capital investments.
Capitalizing on the investments
Being a market leader in the wind industry brings about a handful of advantages. China's economy is undergoing a general transformation, moving away from resource- and labor-intensive manufacturing and capital construction towards more value-added industries. In the case of the wind industry, it brings a demand for highly skilled labor to the north-western regions that have not profited from the economic growth of the past 30 years as the coastal provinces have. Moreover, villages can also generate additional income. According to industry estimates, a three-to-four-megawatt wind turbine can generate an annual income of 50 to 100 thousand yuan for the village collective.Even under the new economic strategy of focusing on high-tech development, exports continue to play a crucial role in China’s economy, and that is where wind power equipment fits right in. Most countries are in the process of energy transitioning in one way or another. One of the pillars of renewable energy is wind power. The latest generations of wind turbines utilize the efficiency gains from larger equipment, which requires advanced material know-how and manufacturing facilities. China, with its large manufacturing capacity and infrastructure, can set up the country to capitalize on the large international demand for wind power equipment.
