The EU wants to make better use of renewable energy as it aims to become climate neutral by 2050. To shape that more sustainable future it will need substantial investment, which is where Chinese companies are increasingly coming in.

A Chinese-built solar farm near the Spanish city of Segovia is helping Spain to meet its need for low carbon energy. The site is built and run by one of the world's biggest renewable energy companies - China Three Gorges (CTG).

The company has been stepping up its clean energy portfolio abroad, and its European subsidiary has invested in new energy projects in countries including Portugal, Spain, Germany, Greece, and the UK.

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A solar plant usually employs fewer people than an old-fashioned fossil fuel burning power station would. But for CTG Europe's manager Jose Mora, it's worthwhile to work in the sector.

"The wind and solar projects are contributing to a good future for this planet," said Mora, who also manages seven other CTG sites around Spain.

EU countries are working to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030. With governments under pressure to transition from oil and gas to clean energy, many countries are turning to wind for a solution.

A CTG-invested wind farm in Las Loras in northern Spain has achieved far more than supporting sustainable development in the region.

Rows of wind turbines can be seen on every horizon in this part of rural Spain that is experiencing depopulation as people leave to find work. Many locals have benefited from having CTG's wind farm on their doorsteps.

"My experience working in a Chinese company is very special. It has increased my expertise of wind technology, and we have to communicate with the other part of the world, to see how they can move forward the transition between the traditional energy to renewable energy," said Adolfo Martinez, Wind-Performance Engineer of CTG Europe.

"Economically, we have a larger budget and we can aspire to do something more. Building works that were previously unthinkable got done, because every time we were going to do construction work, we almost had to pull money out of our own pockets," said a local resident.

"We have come out of poverty, from the misery we had here, because first when they were building the wind farm, it brought wealth and job opportunities to the area," said Fernando del Olmo Gómez, Mayor of Valle de Valdelucio. "It pays for the cost because of the charges from the turbines. If we do social activities, we have free physical therapy for all the residents. We have trips, we have a lot of activities and it's all thanks to the wind turbines."

The turbines fit into a bigger picture in which Europe is trying to radically cut carbon emissions. But bloc members are divided over how close a relationship it wants with China, which may be key to achieving its climate goal.

This report is part of our documentary The Green Silk Road - Connecting Europe's Renewable Grid.  You can watch the whole story here.

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