BUSINESS

China’s Wind Turbine Exports Hit Record as Industry Builds Overseas Footprint

Published: Feb. 13, 2026 5:55 a.m. GMT+8

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Wind power equipment awaits export at Dongfang Port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, Oct. 16, 2025

China’s wind turbine exports reached a record high in 2025, jumping about 50% from a year earlier to roughly 8 million kilowatts, as manufacturers accelerated a strategic shift toward building production bases overseas.

The export estimate was based on data released in late January by Qin Haiyan, secretary general of the Wind Energy Professional Committee of the China Renewable Energy Society. By the end of 2025, China’s cumulative wind turbine exports had surpassed 28 gigawatts, a thirteenfold increase from 2 gigawatts a decade ago, Qin said.

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China’s wind turbine exports reached 8 million kilowatts in 2025, up about 50% year-on-year, with cumulative exports surpassing 28 GW.
Chinese wind firms are localizing production in over 20 countries to overcome trade barriers, investing in manufacturing bases in Europe and beyond.
Tensions rise as the EU investigates Chinese companies over subsidies amid rising Chinese wind turbine exports to Europe, which grew 65.9% in 2025.

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Who’s Who

Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd.: Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd. is a leading Chinese wind turbine manufacturer actively expanding its global presence. In November 2025, it partnered with Dere Construction to establish a blade manufacturing plant in Turkey, set to open in 2027 and create over 500 jobs. However, Goldwind faced an in-depth investigation by the European Commission in February 2026 under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the first such probe targeting a single Chinese wind turbine maker.

Envision Energy: Envision Energy is a major Chinese wind turbine manufacturer. The company is actively shifting its strategy from direct exports to establishing localized supply chains in key markets globally. This approach aims to navigate trade barriers and secure long-term growth, as the firm expands its presence in over 60 countries and regions.

Zhejiang Windey Co. Ltd.: Zhejiang Windey Co. Ltd. is a key player among Chinese wind-tech companies. They are actively involved in the industry's strategic shift toward building production bases overseas, a departure from solely relying on direct exports. This move aims to navigate trade barriers and secure long-term growth in the global wind power market.

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd.: Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd. is a major Chinese wind turbine manufacturer strategically shifting towards overseas production. In October 2025, the company announced a significant investment of approximately 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) to establish a comprehensive wind turbine manufacturing base in the U.K. This move is part of a broader trend among Chinese green-tech firms to localize supply chains in key markets, including Europe.

Sany Renewable Energy Co. Ltd.: Sany Renewable Energy Co. Ltd. is among China's top wind turbine manufacturers expanding globally. It targets Europe as a strategic priority, aiming to integrate into local industrial ecosystems rather than just exporting. Sany acquired a 168-megawatt wind project in Serbia and plans 500 megawatts of manufacturing capacity there, adapting to strict European regulations like turbine acoustic-tone requirements.

Dere Construction: Dere Construction is partnering with Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd. to establish a blade manufacturing plant in Turkey. This plant is projected to start operations in 2027 and is expected to create over 500 jobs, marking a strategic move for Chinese wind companies to localize production overseas.

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