In July, Japanese newspaper The Nikkei reported that China has for the first time become the global leader in wind turbine patent competitiveness in 2023. The report coincides with two significant advancements in China’s wind power projects in the same month.
One notable achievement is the completion of OceanX, the world’s largest single-capacity floating wind power platform, and the first to host two turbine rotors and two generators.
Another major accomplishment comes from Baxoi County, Xizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China, where the first wind turbine of the world’s highest-altitude wind power project was just installed. This turbine is designed to operate stably at an altitude of nearly 5,200 meters under low-pressure conditions.
An aerial drone photo taken on June 19, 2024 shows the phase II project of Zhangpu wind farm in southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo: Xinhua)
From sea to land, and from plains to plateaus, Chinese wind energy companies are providing high-tech and high-quality products at competitive prices, enabling more regions to efficiently utilize green electricity resources.
In recent years, China has been accelerating innovation and development in the wind energy sector. The country has achieved cutting-edge technologies and localized the supply chain, building a comprehensive system encompassing equipment manufacturing, installation, operations and maintenance.
"Chinese wind turbines have gone from follower to leader, with the capacity of turbines and relevant technologies advancing at an unexpectedly rapid pace. We are now entering the 'uncharted territory' of technological frontiers." said Qin Haiyan, general secretary of the Chinese Wind Energy Association.
Chinese wind turbines are continually being upgraded with taller turbine towers, larger capacity and longer blades, thus expanding the potential of wind power. The hub height of turbines has increased from about 70 meters in 2002 to around 135 meters in 2012 and 185 meters in 2023. The capacity has grown from the initial 600 kW to today’s self-developed 18 MW semi-direct offshore drive unit, which can generate an average of 72 million kWh annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of approximately 40,000 households for a whole year.
A staff member works at a workshop of China First Heavy Industries (CFHI) in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 28, 2024. As a leading enterprise in equipment manufacturing in China, CFHI has made efforts to adopt green technologies, integrate the new energy equipment manufacturing into its main business, and form the complete industrial chain synchronously, improving manufacturing capability of wind turbines in Qiqihar and surrounding areas. (Photo: Xinhua)
Advanced systems such as the artificial intelligence of Things (AIoT) and cognitive computing have enabled wind turbines to significantly prove in environmental sensing, decision-making and safety management. For instance, OceanX employs a series of smart strategies with the help of over 3,000 intelligent sensors, maximizing power generation efficiency despite complex surroundings.
Today, about 60-70 percent of the world’s wind power blades, gearboxes, generators and other components are manufactured in China. China's fully independent research and development of wind power technology is leading the world.
This leadership is bolstered by a vast market. China’s power demand is substantial, especially since the “dual carbon” goal was proposed, driving high demand for new energy installations. Abundant natural resources and extensive application scenarios provide fertile ground for wind power technology innovation.
An executive from the Goldwind company recalled that as early as around 2014, the rapid growth of China's wind power market outpaced the iteration speed of foreign technology R&D, prompting more Chinese wind power enterprises to begin independent research and development, propelling the entire industry forward.
Effective policy support has also contributed to this leadership. Relevant departments have issued a series of promotion policies to advance wind power technology, reduce costs and improve efficiency, from far-reaching offshore wind power technology demonstration to encouraging wind farm upgrades.
Wind turbines in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province, April 16, 2024. (Photo: CFP)
Joint participation of all parties has also played a crucial role. In China, wind power and other new energy sectors have a high degree of marketization. An open market environment, diversified business entities and full market competition have fueled innovation. According to the report of the Global Wind Energy Council, Chinese companies occupied four of the top five spots in wind turbine manufacturers’ new capacity rankings in 2023.
Looking back over the past 30 years of wind power development, some describe it as "a single spark has started a huge blaze." The improvement of technological competitiveness has boosted the wind power industry, evidenced by the growth of installed capacity and the reduction in power generation costs. From 2013 to 2023, China's wind power installed capacity grew from over 76 million kW to more than 440 million kW, while the cost of power generation dropped by about 60 percent.
With advantages in scale, tech and cost, Chinese wind turbines have helped make wind power an affordable green energy source worldwide, significantly contributing to global climate change efforts.
(Compiled by Jiang Qi and Xu Zheqi; Edited by Li Bowen, Han Xiaomeng and Lu Dong)