China “very concerned” about EU investigation into its wind turbine manufacturers

China expresses concern at EU measures to investigate its wind turbine manufacturers for anti-competitive practices.

Share:

Chine critique enquête UE subventions

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The European Union has stepped up its action against China by opening an investigation into wind turbine manufacturers subsidized by Beijing. The aim of this initiative is to counter unfair practices affecting the European market for clean technologies, particularly wind turbines, by specifically studying the development of wind farms in several European countries. In response, Mao Ning, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “I think the outside world is worried about the European Union’s growing protectionist tendencies”. She added that “China is very concerned about discriminatory measures taken by Europeans against Chinese companies and even industries.”

Background to trade tensions

The EU has extended its investigation beyond the automotive, rail and solar panel sectors to include wind turbines. “Today, we are launching a new investigation into Chinese wind turbine suppliers,” announced European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. “We are studying the conditions for developing wind farms in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria,” she added.

Economic arguments and reactions

According to Margrethe Vestager, Beijing exports “at low prices” to the rest of the world to offset its own economic slowdown. “The result is that today, less than 3% of solar panels installed in the EU are produced in Europe,” she pointed out, indicating a Chinese strategy also extended to semiconductors and other clean technologies.

Yellen’s visit and comments

The European Commissioner’s remarks followed a visit to China by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who also expressed concerns. “Washington ‘will not accept’ the flood of Chinese products sold at a loss on the world market, as has happened in the past,” she warned, echoing European concerns.

China’s response and impact on relations

On Wednesday, Mao Ning denounced European “protectionism”. “Protectionism cannot solve the EU’s own problems, it protects backward development (…) and causes multilateral losses,” she said. “We urge the European side to respect WTO rules and market principles, and China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” the spokeswoman concluded.

The European Union and China continue to navigate a tense business climate, with significant implications for global trade and competition policy. The current investigations could redefine commercial relations and industrial strategy in clean technologies.

CWP Europe formalised two major projects in Albania and Montenegro with backing from the European Commission, reinforcing the Balkans’ integration into the European energy market.
Elawan Energy secured two wind power projects totalling 92MW in Romania through a long-term public contract, strengthening its presence in the region with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.
A study conducted in the Gulf of Lion highlights the risk of collisions between migratory birds and floating wind turbine blades, as the region prepares to host 19 additional turbines by 2031.
Taaleri Energia’s SolarWind III Fund partners with Lords LB Asset Management to develop a 112 MW onshore wind project in Smiltene, scheduled for commissioning in early 2027.
The Dinawan Wind Farm project, first phase of a 1.3 GW energy hub, was selected in the fourth tender round of the Capacity Investment Scheme launched by the Australian Government.
RWE has completed construction of the Kail wind farm, comprising three turbines totalling 12.9 MW, marking its first commissioning in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Ignitis Group has officially submitted its bid to develop a 700 MW offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea, under a Lithuanian state-supported tender scheme.
Ignitis Renewables acquires the remaining stake from Ocean Winds in the Curonian Nord project, securing full ownership of this strategic development in the Baltic Sea.
Chinese manufacturer Ming Yang plans to build the UK’s largest wind turbine facility in Ardersier, with an initial £750mn investment and up to 1,500 jobs created by 2028.
German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex secured 2,170 MW in new orders between July and September, bringing its total volume to 6.7 GW over nine months.
Faria Renewables a finalisé l’acquisition de deux projets éoliens d’une capacité cumulée de 30,8 MW, consolidant son portefeuille d’actifs en Grèce et poursuivant son expansion stratégique sur le marché national.
Google has signed a power purchase agreement with Eneco to supply its Belgian data centre with wind energy from three wind farms totalling 54 MW.
Italian group Dolomiti Energia secures €200mn loan from the European Investment Bank to finance wind farms and modernise power infrastructure in two strategic regions of the country.
Wpd launches a crowdfunding campaign to support the construction of the Bréhand wind farm, aiming to raise €400,000 from residents with a fixed annual interest rate of 7%.
Danish group Orsted will cut a quarter of its workforce by 2027 and reduce its exposure to the United States, relying on a $9.4 billion recapitalisation to consolidate its development in Europe and Asia.
Developer Gwynt Glas enters development phase after signing a lease agreement with The Crown Estate, paving the way for a 1.5GW floating offshore wind project in Welsh waters.
From January 2026, the southern Polish city of Sosnowiec will power its municipal institutions entirely with renewable electricity under a public contract awarded to local provider Hekla Energy.
VSB France begins construction of its largest onshore wind project, a strategic 39.9 MW investment across two municipalities in Calvados, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.
Shell U.S. president stated that cancelling fully permitted wind projects severely undermines investor confidence in the energy sector.
TotalEnergies could bring EDF into the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind project after RWE’s planned withdrawal, strengthening the industrial and financial prospects of the two neighboring parks scheduled for 2032.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.