Denmark plans to advocate for a common European Union strategy to tackle the increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers in the European wind market.
This Denmark EU wind Chinese initiative comes from the country’s climate and energy minister, Lars Aagaard, ahead of a crucial meeting with the EU Commission and industry leaders, according to a Reuters report.
The Current Landscape
Local manufacturers, including Vestas and Siemens Gamesa primarily dominate the European wind turbine market.
However, recent gains made by Chinese turbine makers have raised concerns among EU industry stakeholders about the potential existential threat they pose, affecting the Denmark EU wind Chinese dynamics.
The Reuters report mentions that Aagaard expressed his worries about European manufacturers being disadvantaged by state aid provided to competitors. He emphasized the importance of fair competition, particularly in the Denmark EU wind Chinese context.
Meeting to Address Challenges
Aagaard spoke ahead of discussions involving energy ministers from North Sea countries, the EU Commission, and industry leaders. The focus will be on tackling the challenges associated with achieving ambitious renewable energy targets.
In April, the EU announced plans to investigate subsidies received by Chinese wind turbine suppliers targeting the European market. This move aims to safeguard domestic firms from the influx of cheaper clean technology products.
Future Goals
Last year, North Sea countries committed to installing 120 gigawatts (GW) offshore wind capacity by 2030. Another goal was to reach at least 300 GW by 2050, translating to around 20,000 offshore wind turbines. Achieving these targets will require significant investments in technology and infrastructure, as well as collaborative efforts among member states.
According to WindEurope data, Europe currently has 35 GW of installed offshore capacity.
While ambitious targets are essential, the context in which they are set matters significantly. Aagaard highligted that the targets were set during a period of lower costs for offshore wind development.
As Denmark and the EU navigate these challenges, the outcomes of their discussions could shape the future of the wind industry and influence global competitiveness in clean technology, especially regarding the Denmark EU wind Chinese competition.