Wind turbines ‘made in China’ encourage new domestic industry
In 2008 more than 70% of the wind energy capacity installed was powered by Chinese made turbines
China is fast becoming one of the world’s major manufacturers of wind power hardware, challenging the dominance of Europe and the United States.
In order to establish a domestic manufacturing industry, a strict rule ensures that at least 70% of the equipment used to construct a wind farm must come from China-based companies.
The result has been a boom in the establishment of wind power branches by large engineering and industrial enterprises. From just 25% in 2004, last year more than 70% of the wind energy capacity installed in China was powered by domestically manufactured turbines.
Originally based on licence agreements or design partnerships with European or US manufacturers, the Chinese companies have quickly developed their own skills base and mass production capabilities. They are also supplying some of the basic components needed to make turbines, such as forged parts and bearings.
Around 30 Chinese companies now have their own wind turbines in operation, with a total of 70 manufacturers operating by the end of 2008. The GE Energy turbines used for the Rudong wind farm were assembled in Shenyang, China, thus satisfying the domestic manufacture rule.
Employment numbers in the Chinese wind energy sector are not confirmed. However, the Global Wind Energy Council estimates that each MW of new installed wind power capacity generates around 11 jobs for a year. In addition to this, 0,33 jobs are created for every MW of total installed wind energy capacity. Applying these calculations, around 115,000 people would currently be employed by the wind energy sector in China, and this number could rise to more than 340,000 by 2020.
In order to establish a domestic manufacturing industry, a strict rule ensures that at least 70% of the equipment used to construct a wind farm must come from China-based companies.
The result has been a boom in the establishment of wind power branches by large engineering and industrial enterprises. From just 25% in 2004, last year more than 70% of the wind energy capacity installed in China was powered by domestically manufactured turbines.
Originally based on licence agreements or design partnerships with European or US manufacturers, the Chinese companies have quickly developed their own skills base and mass production capabilities. They are also supplying some of the basic components needed to make turbines, such as forged parts and bearings.
Around 30 Chinese companies now have their own wind turbines in operation, with a total of 70 manufacturers operating by the end of 2008. The GE Energy turbines used for the Rudong wind farm were assembled in Shenyang, China, thus satisfying the domestic manufacture rule.
Employment numbers in the Chinese wind energy sector are not confirmed. However, the Global Wind Energy Council estimates that each MW of new installed wind power capacity generates around 11 jobs for a year. In addition to this, 0,33 jobs are created for every MW of total installed wind energy capacity. Applying these calculations, around 115,000 people would currently be employed by the wind energy sector in China, and this number could rise to more than 340,000 by 2020.
Global Wind Energy Council, Rue d'Arlon 63-65, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 400 1029, Fax: +32 2 546 1944, Email: info@gwec.net