This article will discuss wind energy in China and investigate the ambitions, strategies, and challenges behind the deployment of solar power. It will also shed light on the key players and the projects of interest. Wind energy is an indirect way to reduce carbon emissions, and it will be crucial in China's quest to attain net zero by 2060.
Ambition & Strategy:
According to the 14 th five-year plan launched by the National Development and Reform Commission, China aims to generate 26 per cent of its electricity needs from solar and wind energy by 2030. To attain this, it aims to build 1200 Gigawatt of solar and wind energy by 2030 to fulfil at least 50 per cent of electricity demand through renewable energy sources.
Wind Farms:
- China Three Gorges Corporation has started building the world's biggest wind farm on the southeast of the Liu'ao Peninsula in Zhangpu, in the southern part of Fujian Province. Once completed, the wind farm will have a capacity of 400 Megawatt and produce 1.6 Terawatt hours of electricity per year. It is under
construction with an investment of $885 million. - Power China is building the largest floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Hainan and developed with an investment of $3.3 billion. The initial stage, boasting a 200-megawatt capacity, is scheduled for completion by 2025, while the subsequent phase, with an increased capacity of 800 Megawatts, is projected to be finished by 2027.
- China General Nuclear Power Corporation built the country’s largest unsubsidised wind farm, which has a capacity of 1.4 Gigawatt. After being integrated into the electric grid, it achieved full operational status in December 2022.
- China Three Gorges Corporation is building a floating offshore wind farm in Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, with an investment of $3.2 billion. It has a capacity of 400 Megawatt and is to be operational by 2026.
Top Operators:
- China Energy Investment Corporation, based in Beijing, is a state-owned mining and energy company engaged in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.
- China Huaneng Group, based in Beijing, is a state-owned electricity generation enterprise.
- State Power Investment Corporation, based in Beijing, operates power generation businesses such as solar, hydro, thermal and nuclear power.
- China Datang Corporation, based in Beijing, is a state-owned power generation enterprise which generates electricity and heat energy.
- China Huadian Corporation, based in Beijing, is a state-owned entity supplying electricity, heat energy and developing power-related-primary energy.
Challenges:
- The primary and most significant challenge lies in technological advancements, particularly in developing energy storage facilities, which tend to be costly. This expense acts as a hindrance to the widespread adoption of wind energy in electricity generation.
- The second challenge is associated with industrial supply chains since the production of solar panels heavily relies on essential minerals like lithium, nickel, and manganese. Since China imports the components from abroad, wind energy adoption will be affected by the country's ability to import such items.
- The third challenge pertains to geography, as regions with abundant wind energy potential are far from areas with the highest energy demand. For instance, high wind potential exists in the northwest region, whereas electricity demand is high in the southeast. As a result, it is challenging to tap wind energy in the northeast and supply it to the southeast.
Conclusion:
In this article, I have talked about China's ambitions and the top four wind farms launched as part of the strategy to promote wind power across the country. Top five indigenous operators responsible for boosting wind energy. The obstacles China needs to overcome in its quest to boost the renewable energy source. Indeed, the actions taken by China are heading in the right direction towards addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. However, achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 will require sustained efforts and implementation of effective strategies.
End Notes:
- https://www.unpri.org/pri-blog/the-net-zero-transition-in-china-progress-has-been-made-but-challenges-remain/10132.article#:~:text=China's%20net%2Dzero%20transition%20pathway,of%20the%20country's%20transition%20pathway
- https://climatecooperation.cn/climate/china-released-its-14th-five-year-plan-for-renewable-energy-with-quantitative-targets-for-2025/
- https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/challenges-and-promises-greening-chinas-economy
- https://www.takomabattery.com/top-10-wind-energy-companies-in-china/
- https://www.offshorewind.biz/2023/02/06/world-first-offshore-wind-farm-using-16-mw-turbines-enters-construction-in-china/
- https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-building-world-s-biggest-offshore-wind-farm-as-renewable-energy-growth-gains-momentum#:~:text=China%20building%20world's%20biggest%20offshore%20wind%20farm%20as%20renewable%20energy%20growth%20gains%20momentum,-A%20wind%20power&text=BEIJING%20%E2%80%93%20China%20is%20building%20the,renewable%20energy%20is%20gathering%20momentum.
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/china-starts-building-1-gw-floating-offshore-wind-project-hainan.html#:~:text=The%20CNY23bn%20(US%243.3bn,largest%20floating%20offshore%20wind%20park.
- https://energyiceberg.com/china-wind-energy-developers/
- https://www.offshorewind.biz/2022/12/29/chinas-largest-zero-subsidy-offshore-wind-farm-now-up-and-running/
- https://www.offshorewind.biz/2021/07/13/chinas-first-floating-wind-turbine-heads-offshore/
- https://www.westwoodenergy.com/news/infographics/mainland-china-floating-wind-focus
- https://www.upstreamonline.com/energy-transition/china-go-ahead-for-3-2-billion-floating-wind-farm-study/2-1-1316828
