OIES Podcast – Chinese participation in Europe’s offshore wind sector

European policymakers face a dilemma regarding the entry of Chinese firms into the European wind market. Chinese turbines are cheaper than their Western competitors. Given the small number of players in the European market, Chinese manufacturers could provide a boost to the market and inject new competitive pressure.

Yet there are concerns that allowing Chinese OEMs into the offshore wind sector, either as developers of or investors in projects, or as equipment providers for European-led projects, could undermine European industry.

In addition to commercial threats, security concerns have also been raised by the UK, Germany, and Sweden: Will Chinese investments pose new security risks? Are Chinese OEMs a potential tool for economic coercion by Beijing? Do they pose a threat to energy security?

These and other issues are discussed in a recent paper from the Institute, ‘Chinese participation in Europe’s offshore wind sector: the good, the bad and the unknown’. In this new podcast from the China Energy Research Programme, James Henderson talks about these issues with Michal Meidan, director of the China programme, and Anders Hove, senior research fellow.

The podcast discusses what is known and unknown about the risks and benefits of China’s entry into the European offshore wind industry, based on in-depth interviews with industry experts. The report finds an urgent need to identify and distinguish between risks associated with China-made components vs broader software connectivity and data risks. Meanwhile, on the cost front, low and falling prices for offshore wind in China may not translate directly to Europe.

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