Germany’s offshore wind farm in the North Sea is set to use Chinese-made turbines for the first time (and they’re powerful).
Hamburg-based clean energy asset management company Luxcara has signed a preferred turbine supplier agreement with China’s Mingyang Smart Energy for the offshore wind farm Waterkant.
The pre-order agreement is for 16 of the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbines, each with a capacity of up to 18.5 megawatts (MW), due for installation in 2028.
The giant turbine’s rotor diameter is 260 meters (853 feet). Once operational, Watercant will provide clean electricity to about 400,000 homes.
Luxkala will launch an international tender in the second half of 2023 and said in its selection announcement that its decision for Min Yang’s turbines was based on “an extensive due diligence exercise covering supply chain, ESG compliance in line with EU taxonomy and cybersecurity supported by independent experts from renowned international advisors.”
But a spokesman for Germany’s Economy Ministry told Reuters the ministry would closely examine safety and competitive aspects of German offshore wind farms that use Chinese-made turbines.
The Federal Government will consider this decision very carefully. On the one hand, it concerns the issue of critical infrastructure, and on the other hand, a level playing field must be maintained in terms of competition.
WindEurope, the European wind industry lobby, called for fair competition in the face of cheap Chinese turbines, saying “Germany and the European Union need to consider whether to consider wind energy as a strategic sector before it is too late.”
As with the European EV industry, there are concerns about unfair trade practices in the solar and wind sector, as Chinese-made wind turbines and solar panels are cheaper than European-made products.
Germany has set a goal of 80% clean electricity by 2030.
read more: China installs world’s first 18MW offshore wind turbine
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