Wind Energy in China

Executive Summary

Promoting wind energy in China offers a viable solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease CO2 emissions while providing clean electricity. As the world’s largest market for installed wind power capacity, China should focus on building more energy farms efficiently to meet growing energy demands. Tailoring energy installation and transformation plans to regional specifics, especially considering wind conditions and land types, is crucial as geological factors play a pivotal role in the success of wind energy programs. Additionally, integrating considerations of radiation, wildlife impact, noise pollution, land competition with agriculture, and production efficiency is essential for ensuring the applicability and sustainability of wind energy initiatives. The central government establishes objectives at the national level, and then delineates and elaborates upon these objectives for implementation by local governmental entities. Local administrations collaborate with organizations and project stakeholders to realize these predetermined targets. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses these factors, China can further leverage its wind energy potential effectively.

China’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels is evident in its staggering energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

As of 2022, fossil fuels constituted a substantial 82% of the country’s primary energy consumption. Despite external factors such as Covid-19 lockdowns and a downturn in the real estate sector, China’s emissions remained largely unchanged from 2021 to 2022. Energy-related emissions experienced only a marginal decrease of 0.2%, equivalent to 23 million tonnes, with the total reaching approximately 12.1 gigatonnes (John Kemp, China and India struggle to curb fossil fuels). China’s continued dependence on fossil fuels poses significant challenges. The imperative to mitigate climate change and pursue sustainable development necessitates a shift towards cleaner energy substitutes. Promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies emerges as an important component of China’s sustainable development strategy and a proactive measure to address global climate change. By transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy solutions, China can contribute meaningfully to mitigating climate change and fostering a more sustainable future for both the nation and the planet.

The surging clean energy sector in China stands as a pivotal force propelling the nation’s direction toward sustainable development.

Forecasts indicate that the clean energy industry will become a central role in China’s economic landscape. Projections suggest that by 2023, the amalgamated worth of goods and services within this industry will inject a staggering 1.14 billion yuan ($1.6 trillion) into the Chinese economy, marking a notable 30% year-on-year surge. This meteoric rise underscores a significant shift, as the share of clean energy within China’s GDP is slated to escalate from 7.2% in 2022 to an anticipated 9.0% by 2023 (Reuters, China’s solar, wind power projects need more policy support, says …).

As depicted in Figure 1, the integration of clean energy sources, notably solar energy, storage, and new energy vehicles (especially EVs), has constituted a significant proportion of the growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is also important to acknowledge that China possesses a multifaceted array of clean energy alternatives beyond these three categories.

China stands as a global leader in wind power generation, boasting the largest market for installed capacity, alongside abundant wind energy resources and significant expansion potential.

China has emerged as a global frontrunner in wind power generation, maintaining its position as the world’s largest market for installed wind power capacity since 2010, owing to its extensive coastline and vast geographical expanse rich in wind energy resources. Recent years have witnessed a significant surge in China’s wind power installed capacity, with an average annual increase of 178.6 terawatt hours (TWh) between 2022 and 2023, marking nearly 350% growth compared to the preceding five-year average. Furthermore, China’s wind power expansion has surpassed that of other major markets, with a cumulative growth rate in 2021 and 2022 reaching 3.6 times that of the United States and an impressive 7.3 times that of Europe over the corresponding timeframe. For detailed statistical insights, please refer to Figure 2, which encompasses wind power statistics in China from 2005 to 2021, including metrics of capacity, production, and capacity factor (Wind Power in China).

Notably, the windy desert region outside Jiuquan City in Gansu Province alone possesses a remarkable 200 gigawatts of wind energy reserves, with an estimated potential for onshore wind power development amounting to approximately 2,380GW, and offshore capacity projected at around 200GW. Among various wind power projects established in China, this project is particularly famous for its adept utilization of the formidable winds and expansive flat terrain characteristic of the Gobi Desert areas.

Currently, wind power implementation in China faces two primary challenges: limited energy efficiency and regional limitations. Under regional limitations, three key issues emerge: noise, wildlife intervention, and land competition.

Challenge 1: Production Efficiency

Theoretically, wind turbines have the capacity to achieve a conversion rate approaching 60 percent. Accordingly, an actual conversion rate of approximately 50 percent is deemed optimal. However, the prevailing reality in China reveals that wind turbine conversion rates typically range between 20 to 40 percent only.

Confronting this challenge demands the exploration of both immediate and enduring solutions.

In the short term, bolstering overall efficiency involves enhancing the adaptability of the power generation system. This entails implementing diverse power generation methods tailored to specific energy consumption tasks, leveraging existing infrastructure to elevate efficiency levels. term, bolstering overall efficiency involves enhancing the adaptability of the power generation system. This entails implementing diverse power generation methods tailored to specific energy consumption tasks, leveraging existing infrastructure to elevate efficiency levels. Such an approach necessitates the formulation of new protocols and cross-departmental collaboration. Notably, the associated investment for this strategy is projected to be relatively modest. Importing superior-quality components or repurposing and recycling replacement parts offers another viable avenue. Simultaneously, establishing a long-term technology innovation team holds promise in fostering the development of more efficient components or technologies.

Challenge 2: Regional Limitations

The most pressing issue in wind power generation pertains to its geographical requirements. While wind power generation facilities do not impose specific environmental constraints, they are ideally suited for expansive and level terrain. However, urban centers, including coastal municipalities, present a concern due to the limited availability of dedicated open spaces suitable for wind energy farms. Conversely, remote urban locales, despite harboring wind power potential, face efficiency constraints due to smaller populations and infrastructural limitations. In such remote areas, wind power generation encounters significant installation challenges, primarily concerning terrain suitability and logistical complexities. Although certain terrains may seem favorable for site selection, actual installation processes often encounter obstacles. Moreover, careful consideration of wind patterns’ magnitude is crucial during the installation phase. Figure 3 depicts the geographical distribution of wind power output in the year 2019. The visualization offers a spatial representation of energy production dynamics, revealing that areas generating higher power output are not necessarily correlated with population centers (eastern and southern coastal areas) or regions with substantial power consumption needs (some central metropolises).

To effectively mitigate this issue, a comprehensive examination of transportation arrangement, layout optimization, and expansion strategies is critical.

Within the transportation sector, strategies to reduce shipping costs through route combination and the importation of innovative transportation tools should be explored, along with the establishment of power stations. A re-evaluation of power transmission layouts is essential to alleviate power shortages in adjacent regions, considering factors such as distance and demand. Expanding the distribution of power plants, particularly in rural coastal urban areas like Shanghai and Shenzhen, could play an important role. Leveraging coastal advantages for small-scale power plants and evaluating the feasibility of land reclamation are potential solutions as well.

Challenge 2–1: Noise

Regardless of design, wind turbines emit noise that, when combined with natural wind sounds, creates an ambient noise level. This effect is particularly pronounced in larger wind power installations. Topographical features like hills and mountains can partially impede sound wave transmission, but in flat, plain regions, sound propagation distances are typically extended. While the noise may be acceptable in remote areas, it can have a more enhanced impact in densely populated regions.

Addressing this challenge effectively should involve several practical strategies.

Firstly, if noise concerns are minimal in remote locales, no extra costs are incurred. However, in areas proximate to residential or business zones, augmenting the utilization of soundproof materials and constructing sound barriers emerges as a viable solution. Incorporating detailed construction plans during the preparatory phase is advisable. Furthermore, exploring material innovations within the industry, particularly in aerodynamic components or novel theories, may offer potential resolutions to the issue at hand.

Challenge 2–2: Wild Life Intervention

Wind energy facilities present a significant concern for avian and bat populations, with research indicating fluctuating mortality rates across different regions and facilities (Advantages and Challenges…). Particularly, songbirds, known for nocturnal and high-altitude migration, are especially susceptible to collisions with turbine blades. Moreover, ground-nesting birds such as prairie chickens and sage-grouse may alter their behavior, avoiding turbine areas due to perceived predation risk and habitat disturbance, consequently resulting in diminished breeding success and chick survival rates.

Addressing this challenge needs a comprehensive consideration of both natural and anthropogenic factors.

It is imperative to first identify and safeguard existing wildlife habitats within and around potential wind energy sites, integrating them into the site selection process. Moreover, efforts should be made to establish artificial habitat conditions in adjacent areas, where feasible, to counterbalance any disruptions caused by wind turbine installation and operation. Considering the deployment of vertical wind turbines is possible, given their potential to both mitigate noise and minimize impacts on wildlife.

Challenge 2–3: Land Competition

Two distinct forms of land competition can be delineated. Firstly, in remote areas, the primary contenders for land are agriculture and forestry. This competition arises due to the substantial land requirements inherent to these industries, coupled with their specific geological prerequisites, typically occurring within regions characterized by lower population densities. Conversely, a contrasting scenario unfolds in coastal and select inland regions characterized by heightened population densities. Here, the principal competitors for land allocation consist predominantly of various categories of commercial and residential land.

Confronted with this challenge, a feasible solution involves the augmentation of comprehensive early evaluation standards.

Given the inherent immutability of land attributes, which contrasts with the relatively facile adaptability of construction or equipment, preparation during the initial phases can mitigate the temporal and monetary expenditures associated with subsequent alterations. Consequently, the implementation of more strict and exhaustive assessment methodologies is imperative. These methodologies should ascertain the optimal industrial suitability of the land and gauge its influences on both the surrounding eco and social system.

The three specific challenges are intricately linked to the locations. It is advisable to address the aforementioned challenges in tandem with the consideration of regional limitations.

Wind power presents a promising avenue for future exploration and development.

Its notable environmental benefits, characterized by significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional thermal power generation, underscore its status as a cleaner energy alternative. Noteworthy successes, such as the Jiuquan project in Gansu, China, serve as tangible demonstrations of its viability and positive impact. Moreover, wind power stands out for its notable cost-effectiveness, positioning it as one of the most economically advantageous energy sources presently available. Ongoing scientific advancements will improve the cost-effectiveness of wind power, solidifying its role in Chinese and global energy systems.

In present-day China, the introduction of policies aimed at fostering the construction of wind power plants on a larger scale is the solution for mitigating the overuse of fossil fuels.

Such policies serve a dual purpose: firstly, they facilitate the preservation of existing projects’ production capacity, while concurrently utilizing established experience and technology to expand the proliferation of wind farms. Simultaneously, policymakers must remain cognizant of the diverse challenges inherent in this endeavor. By transparently articulating potential challenges together with policy dissemination, authorities empower investors and project operators to anticipate and address forthcoming obstacles. Mitigating noise pollution and minimizing impacts on wildlife demand stringent control measures, tailored to accommodate regional disparities. Additionally, land allocation for wind power projects must be judiciously managed to avert encroachment upon resources more suitable for alternative industries. The formulation of a specific implementation plan necessitates meticulous consideration of regional nuances, with administrative scope delineations guiding tailored strategies for each project location.

Case Study — Gansu Wind Farm

The Gansu Wind Farm is an example of China’s wind energy development, showcasing the nation’s environmental potential and technological progress. Its inauguration marks a significant milestone, symbolizing China’s commitment to promoting clean energy sources at a scale unparalleled globally. Surpassing the Jaisalmer Wind Farm by over six times in capacity, the Gansu Wind Farm asserts its position as the foremost leader in the realm of wind power generation on a global scale (Gansu Wind Farm).

The Gansu wind farm, situated in a remote area of northwest China, epitomizes a quintessential wind energy installation. Gansu wind farms boast substantial production potential in remote, high-wind regions. In this instance, noise disturbance and land competition concerns are not the primary concern due to the sparse population density in the area, and the impact on wildlife remains manageable. Nonetheless, challenges have arisen. Far from urban centers, the remote site selection poses logistical hurdles for transporting initial equipment such as turbines and distributing the generated electricity. Consequently, the full potential of the current wind farm remains unrealized, primarily due to this logistical constraint. This case emphasizes the public the importance of site and scale selections in the early stages.

In recent years, there have been more discussions considering the pros and cons of wind power projects as the industry is surging. Every project requires tailored analysis as varying geographic contexts could yield distinct challenges. Some locales may prioritize noise concerns while others may emphasize land competition. In China’s social structure, the advancement of wind energy mandates collaborative efforts across various departments to obtain desired outcomes.

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