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Wind turbine manufacturing in China: A review

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  • Yuan, Jiahai
  • Na, Chunning
  • Xu, Yan
  • Zhao, Changhong

Abstract

Domestic wind turbine manufacturing sector in China has experienced development stages starting from scratch to mass production. During the 11th FYP period (2006–2010), the main goal of wind power policy in China is to promote the commercialization of wind power by large-scale deployment of wind farms. This goal has been realized to a great extent and now the cost of wind power generation is nearly comparable to coal-fired power generation in China. The industry policy, which devotes to mass production of domestic wind turbines, is also largely successful. The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview on wind turbine manufacturing sector in China. The policy evolution in different stages, achievements and challenges pertinent to the sector are addressed in the paper. Key findings are that the misleading industry policy, which provides strong incentive to blind entrance and “competition for scale and price” and restrains innovation as well, is the key obstacle for the sustainable development of the sector. Deficient technology standard and qualification system and the misplaced franchise bidding system also indulge vicious competition and oversupply. Creating a level playground for all turbine supplies, providing strong incentive to innovative manufacturers, establishing thorough and practicable standard and qualification system, and fine-tuning the directive of the franchise bidding system towards technology and service are the primary policy implications proposed by our study.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan, Jiahai & Na, Chunning & Xu, Yan & Zhao, Changhong, 2015. "Wind turbine manufacturing in China: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1235-1244.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:51:y:2015:i:c:p:1235-1244
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Thé, Jesse & Yu, Hesheng, 2017. "A critical review on the simulations of wind turbine aerodynamics focusing on hybrid RANS-LES methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 257-289.
    3. Manisha Sawant & Sameer Thakare & A. Prabhakara Rao & Andrés E. Feijóo-Lorenzo & Neeraj Dhanraj Bokde, 2021. "A Review on State-of-the-Art Reviews in Wind-Turbine- and Wind-Farm-Related Topics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-30, April.
    4. Chang, Victor & Chen, Yian & (Justin) Zhang, Zuopeng & Xu, Qianwen Ariel & Baudier, Patricia & Liu, Ben S.C., 2021. "The market challenge of wind turbine industry-renewable energy in PR China and Germany," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    5. Shi, Rui-jing & Fan, Xiao-chao & He, Ying, 2017. "Comprehensive evaluation index system for wind power utilization levels in wind farms in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 461-471.
    6. Zhao, Longfeng & Yang, Yajie & Bai, Xiao & Chen, Lin & Lu, An-Liang & Zhang, Xin & Chen, Wei-Qiang, 2023. "Structure, robustness and supply risk in the global wind turbine trade network," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    7. Dai, Juchuan & Yang, Xin & Wen, Li, 2018. "Development of wind power industry in China: A comprehensive assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 156-164.
    8. Curran, Louise & Lv, Ping & Spigarelli, Francesca, 2017. "Chinese investment in the EU renewable energy sector: Motives, synergies and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 670-682.
    9. Philipp Beiter & Aubryn Cooperman & Eric Lantz & Tyler Stehly & Matt Shields & Ryan Wiser & Thomas Telsnig & Lena Kitzing & Volker Berkhout & Yuka Kikuchi, 2021. "Wind power costs driven by innovation and experience with further reductions on the horizon," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(5), September.
    10. Garsous, Grégoire & Worack, Stephan, 2022. "Technological expertise as a driver of environmental technology diffusion through trade: Evidence from the wind turbine manufacturing industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).

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