Wind energy in China continues to expand, leading global capacity growth

China’s wind energy sector has seen remarkable developments in both onshore and offshore domains, solidifying its position as the world leader in wind power capacity. The country has undertaken aggressive expansion plans in the coming decades to meet its renewable energy goals and transition to a low-carbon economy.

Installed capacity and growth

• Total capacity: As of 2023, China’s cumulative wind energy capacity reached 421 GW, making it the world’s largest wind energy market by installed capacity. This marks a significant increase from previous years, underscoring China’s commitment to renewable energy and its rapid wind energy expansion.
• Onshore wind: Onshore wind remains the dominant contributor to China’s wind energy capacity, accounting for around 383 GW of the total installed capacity​. Favourable wind resources in the northern and western regions have driven this growth.
• Offshore wind: By the end of 2023, China’s offshore wind capacity had reached 38 GW, maintaining its position as the largest offshore wind market globally​. Offshore wind development has accelerated in recent years, particularly along the eastern and southern coastlines, where wind resources are optimal.

Government ambitions

• 2030 target: The Chinese government aims to reach 50% of its total energy generation from non-fossil fuels by 2030. Wind energy will play a key role, with a strong focus on expanding both onshore and offshore wind capacity​.
• 2060 carbon neutrality goal: China has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To support this, the government plans to have 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity by 2030, with wind energy expected to contribute significantly.
• Government support: Policies such as feed-in tariffs, financial incentives, and tax credits continue to support wind energy expansion. Streamlined approval processes for new wind projects are also helping accelerate growth.

Current and upcoming projects

• Hainan Offshore Wind Farm: One of China’s most significant offshore wind projects, this development has a planned capacity of 1 GW. Located off the southern coast, it is expected to begin operations by 2025.
• Gansu Onshore Wind Cluster: The Gansu Wind Farm Cluster, one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms, now boasts an installed capacity of over 20 GW, with additional projects underway in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang​.
• Zhejiang Offshore Wind Project: This major offshore wind project is scheduled for completion by 2028, with a total capacity of 3 GW.

Recent developments

• 2024 offshore wind auction: In 2024, China held an auction for offshore wind projects, awarding 8.5 GW of capacity to various developers, aligning with the government’s strategy to attract investment​.
• State grid and offshore wind: China’s state-owned grid companies, such as the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), are actively improving grid capacity to integrate large-scale wind energy projects.
• Offshore wind technology development: China is a global leader in offshore wind turbine manufacturing. Companies like Goldwind and Shanghai Electric are producing advanced turbines, including floating wind technology for deeper waters.

These developments highlight China’s commitment to expanding its wind energy sector as part of its broader strategy to enhance renewable energy sources, reduce dependence on coal, and achieve its carbon neutrality goals. With vast wind resources, strong government support, and rapidly advancing technology, China is set to maintain its leadership in the global wind energy sector for the foreseeable future.

This information is updated in March 2025

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