Summary
Chinese wind power exports are accelerating amid rising global electricity demand driven by AI. The 2026 government work report highlighted computing-power synergy for the first time, while the 15th Five-Year Plan targets over 100 GW of offshore wind grid-connected capacity. By end-2025, China accounted for 56% of global cumulative offshore wind capacity and 78% of annual new additions, ranking first for eight consecutive years.
Eight of the world's top ten wind turbine manufacturers are Chinese, including the top six. Goldwind's GOSII project in Egypt (650 MW) can power over one million homes, and it has localised production in Brazil and South Africa. Mingyang Smart Energy established a European centre in Germany, promoting a hybrid supply chain where China provides manufacturing and system integration while Europe offers engineering and local services.
Norinco International is building the Senj wind farm in Croatia. Chinese firms are shifting from scale leadership to competing on technology and system integration.
Commentary
The global wind power landscape is being reshaped: Chinese companies dominate BloombergNEF's top six rankings, with 251 GW of projects under construction in 2026 and export growth of 48.7%. For New Zealand, where wind provides only 6% of power, this export wave aligns with its renewable energy push – the government targets 100% clean electricity by 2035, implying a potential wind capacity gap of over 2 GW. NZ SMEs can engage from two angles: first, as energy consumers, large users like dairy and meat processors could lower power costs and obtain 'green certificates' for exports by directly sourcing community wind projects built with Chinese turbines, easing EU carbon tax pressures; second, as service providers, they can undertake local maintenance, seismic retrofitting (New Zealand is earthquake-prone, and Mingyang's typhoon-resistant technology can be adapted), or act as distributors in South Pacific island nations.
Goldwind's acquisition of a local assembly plant in Brazil, creating over 1,000 jobs, shows leading Chinese firms value deep localisation. However, the European 'hybrid supply chain' debate reflects geopolitical risks; NZ SMEs should monitor technical standard mutual recognition and government review developments. By end-2025, China's offshore wind cumulative grid-connected capacity accounted for 56% globally, and its cost advantage is penetrating from emerging markets to advanced economies.
Early engagement with Mingyang's Australian team could capture first-mover advantages.
Keywords: wind power exports, offshore wind, computing-power synergy, AI electricity demand, Goldwind, Mingyang Smart Energy, global market share, hybrid supply chain, new energy, Made in China
Source: Global Times
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