Putting wind in the sails of UK-Chinese relations

As the UK looks towards a low carbon future, China could play a key part in providing it with wind turbine technology.

With a goal of producing 95 percent of its energy from low carbon sources by 2030, the UK is accelerating installation of offshore wind turbines.

China is the world's largest wind energy producer, and accounts for over 60 per cent of wind turbine manufacturing globally.

The UK is the world's sixth largest wind energy producer, but is second overall in offshore wind energy, and has what is currently the world's largest offshore wind farm, Hornsea 2, sited off the North Sea. 

Constructed by Orsted, it overtook Hornsea One 89 kilometers away, to take that title. An even bigger wind farm, Hornsea Three, is planned.

China and the UK have worked together in wind power technology since signing a memorandum of understanding in 2013.

A visit by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to London could accelerate this partnership.

Oxford-based Anakata Wind Power is one company at the forefront of this collaboration.

Founded by a former head of aerodynamics for various Formula One teams, Anakata has applied F1 technical expertise to wind turbine technology.

This includes retrofitting blades with new parts inspired by Formula One cars.

"Some of the flow control features that have developed in Formula One over the years, shedding lots of smaller vortices rather than one large one, produces more stable aerodynamics, and more stable vorticity," Wood told CGTN.

"It makes the part much more efficient for delivering torque and power on the turbine," he said.

Anakata works with large Chinese wind turbine manufacturers like Mingyang, Dongfang and Goldwind to fit its aerodynamic blade enhancements on wind farms in China.

Chief Executive Officer, Huw Griffiths, said China has rapidly scaled its wind power industry, and is currently outpacing Western manufacturers.

He believes working together is critical for the future of the wind industry.

"It's fundamental, no country can do it by themselves," Griffiths said. "China's growth has shown they are going to be a key player in this renewable space, and technology sharing is the best way to advance the progress that we all need to make because time is not on anyone's side." 

A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research warns the UK risks missing its 2030 offshore wind target by 18 years unless it triples its manufacturing capacity.

Creating new partnerships with Chinese manufacturers could help the UK reach its target on time.