Europe Faces Chinese Competition in Offshore Wind Energy

Eight European countries meet to strengthen their commitments to offshore wind energy in the North Sea, a sector facing the growing challenge of Chinese companies.

Partagez:

The leaders of eight countries bordering the North Sea gathered this Thursday in Denmark to discuss the future of offshore wind energy in the region. The goal of this summit is to revitalize European ambitions in response to the rising competition from Chinese manufacturers in this key sector of the energy transition. At the forefront of discussions is the installation of 20,000 offshore wind turbines by 2050, a project aimed at increasing Europe’s energy capacity and maintaining its global leadership in this field.

Asian competition, particularly from China, weighs heavily on the European industry. According to the renewable energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, China accounts for 82% of global wind turbine orders, a troubling figure for the European Union countries. “We need to ensure we choose the right path for the energy transition,” stated Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard during the summit.

European Industrialization Efforts

Denmark, a pioneer in offshore wind energy, is positioning itself as a leader. The Scandinavian country inaugurated its first offshore wind farm in 1991, and today, more than 40% of its electricity comes from wind power. The port of Odense, where the meeting is taking place, illustrates Europe’s progress. Since 2011, this industrial site has been manufacturing the necessary components for wind turbine construction across the continent.

“More than a thousand wind turbines have been produced here, not only for Europe but also for distant markets like the Philippines and the United States,” said Carsten Aa, director of the port of Odense. On the Lindø site, a former shipyard, Danish giant Vestas now produces nacelles, masts, and other components for offshore wind farms.

An Expansion Required to Stay Competitive

Despite these successes, challenges remain numerous. Europe must redouble its efforts not to be overtaken by China, which has considerably accelerated its wind turbine production. “We have moved from an outdated industrial area to a modern high-tech production facility,” emphasized Carsten Aa, recalling the recent transformations that have taken place in Odense.

The port of Odense continues its expansion, with an 18% increase in surface area over the past two years. This dynamism is essential to meet the political ambitions set by European leaders. “We still have a lot to do to reach our goals, but the potential is there,” concluded Carsten Aa.

In France, the port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire is also preparing for the future with the development of a platform dedicated to the deployment of offshore wind farms. These initiatives demonstrate that Europe is not willing to give up its leadership without a fight, even though the Chinese challenge is significant.

The Astenn Avel consortium, led by Elicio and Q ENERGY, brings in VALOREM to bid for the 500 MW floating wind project planned off the coast of Southern Brittany.
The Astenn Avel consortium, led by Elicio and Q ENERGY, brings in VALOREM to bid for the 500 MW floating wind project planned off the coast of Southern Brittany.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank supports the construction of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm, co-owned by Mi'gmaq communities and Innergex, through a combined equity and debt financing package.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank supports the construction of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm, co-owned by Mi'gmaq communities and Innergex, through a combined equity and debt financing package.
The first turbine of the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project was assembled at Port-La Nouvelle, marking a major industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and its partners.
The first turbine of the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project was assembled at Port-La Nouvelle, marking a major industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and its partners.
RWE inaugurated an onshore wind farm in Plounérin and Plounévez-Moëdec, featuring four turbines with a capacity of 14.7 MW, in partnership with the local SEM Lannion-Trégor.
RWE inaugurated an onshore wind farm in Plounérin and Plounévez-Moëdec, featuring four turbines with a capacity of 14.7 MW, in partnership with the local SEM Lannion-Trégor.
The Moulins wind farm, made up of five turbines, was inaugurated on June 6 across three municipalities in the Douaisis region. It will generate €70,000 in annual tax revenue for local authorities.
The Moulins wind farm, made up of five turbines, was inaugurated on June 6 across three municipalities in the Douaisis region. It will generate €70,000 in annual tax revenue for local authorities.
Chinese firm SANY Renewable Energy enters Serbia through a 168 MW wind deal aimed at powering the local grid from 2028.
Chinese firm SANY Renewable Energy enters Serbia through a 168 MW wind deal aimed at powering the local grid from 2028.
The Wedgeport Wind project led by Elemental Energy secures $97mn from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to install 12 turbines in southwest Nova Scotia.
The Wedgeport Wind project led by Elemental Energy secures $97mn from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to install 12 turbines in southwest Nova Scotia.
France’s first floating wind farm, Provence Grand Large, located off the Gulf of Fos, has been commissioned with a 25 MW capacity, supplying the equivalent annual electricity consumption of 45,000 people.
France’s first floating wind farm, Provence Grand Large, located off the Gulf of Fos, has been commissioned with a 25 MW capacity, supplying the equivalent annual electricity consumption of 45,000 people.
Norges Bank Investment Management has finalised the acquisition of stakes in RWE's German and Danish projects, representing 2.6 GW of planned installed capacity by 2029.
Norges Bank Investment Management has finalised the acquisition of stakes in RWE's German and Danish projects, representing 2.6 GW of planned installed capacity by 2029.
Enlight has secured $310mn in financing to convert Gecama into a 554 MW wind-solar-storage hybrid plant, making it the largest installation of its kind in Spain.
Enlight has secured $310mn in financing to convert Gecama into a 554 MW wind-solar-storage hybrid plant, making it the largest installation of its kind in Spain.
The contracts for the offshore wind farms of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brieuc have been amended to allow production shutdowns when electricity prices fall below zero on the market.
The contracts for the offshore wind farms of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brieuc have been amended to allow production shutdowns when electricity prices fall below zero on the market.
AMEA Power has completed the commissioning of a 500MW wind power plant in Ras Ghareb, bringing its total deployed capacity in Egypt to 1GW within six months.
AMEA Power has completed the commissioning of a 500MW wind power plant in Ras Ghareb, bringing its total deployed capacity in Egypt to 1GW within six months.
The 102 MW wind project in Québec secures structured loans from Canadian banks, marking a new stage for the joint venture between Innergex and the Mi'gmaq communities.
The 102 MW wind project in Québec secures structured loans from Canadian banks, marking a new stage for the joint venture between Innergex and the Mi'gmaq communities.
Aker Solutions will deliver the steel structure for an HVDC converter station for the offshore BalWin2 project developed by Amprion Offshore, under a contract valued at up to NOK2.5bn ($228mn).
Aker Solutions will deliver the steel structure for an HVDC converter station for the offshore BalWin2 project developed by Amprion Offshore, under a contract valued at up to NOK2.5bn ($228mn).
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners sells a minority stake in its 1 GW project to ACEN to accelerate its development ahead of upcoming energy auctions planned by the Philippine government.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners sells a minority stake in its 1 GW project to ACEN to accelerate its development ahead of upcoming energy auctions planned by the Philippine government.
Swedish wind developer Eolus has issued senior secured green bonds worth SEK550mn ($51.5mn), enabling the full refinancing of its existing debt.
Swedish wind developer Eolus has issued senior secured green bonds worth SEK550mn ($51.5mn), enabling the full refinancing of its existing debt.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Clean Energy Technologies announces a non-binding agreement with a European renewable energy developer, supported by a $4.4mn capital raise for a transaction estimated at $85mn.
Clean Energy Technologies announces a non-binding agreement with a European renewable energy developer, supported by a $4.4mn capital raise for a transaction estimated at $85mn.