China success for UK wind power

The mission, organised by the RETPS with funding from BERR and UK Trade & Investment Power Group, took place between 29 October and 3 November 2007, with eight UK companies taking part – IW Power, SgurrEnergy, Garrad Hassan, Romax Technology, IT Power, Insensys, PMSS and Mott MacDonald.

Delegates from the companies, which cover capabilities ranging from specialist component design to wind farm development, were involved in site visits to major players in the growing Chinese wind power sector and gained a good understanding of the market through a series of briefings. They went on to exhibit at Wind Power Shanghai, with several also presenting papers at the event.

Trade Promoter John Buckley, who led the delegation, says, ‘The presentation of UK companies at the exhibition pavilion was professional and impressive: it was probably the best national representation there. All UK companies have reported prospective business, and enthusiasm for the promotion they received. Several delegate companies also identified opportunities for greater collaboration among themselves to present a joint and more powerful UK product.’

The itinerary for the visit was prepared with the help of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, the Chinese Wind Energy Association and the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, and built on contacts made by John Buckley over a number of years and during a preparatory visit to Beijing earlier in 2007.

The wind sector in China is expanding rapidly, with 2010 targets for deployment already surpassed, and 2020 targets no longer challenging. Our assessment is that the rate of growth of the sector is effectively constrained only by the rate at which its indigenous manufacturing and deployment industry can expand.

‘China has reached a supply chain constraint, and the timing of our delegation matched this position well,’ says John Buckley. ‘We have also determined that China is interested in the development of offshore wind capability – centred on Shanghai – mainly to position itself for this industry for the world market and for the future in China. The presence of UK offshore specialists on the visit was therefore also very timely.’

To consolidate and progress the promotion of UK capabilities into China, the RETPS is considering involvement in Wind Power Asia 2008 (24-26 June) and Global Wind Power 2008 (29-31 October), both centred on Beijing, and would welcome feedback from UK industry to inform its plans.

Companies interested in the wind – or the wider renewable energy – industry in China are invited to contact John Buckley retps@ukrenewables.com or call +44 (0)1664 565083.