Wind

BASF and Mingyang get green light to build Chinese offshore wind farm

Chemicals giant and turbine group get approval for project off Guangdong Province

Former BASF chairman Martin Brudermüller.
Former BASF chairman Martin Brudermüller.Photo: BASF
Acting Editor-in-Chief, Recharge

Plans by chemicals giant BASF to build an offshore wind farm in China have received local go-ahead, said its Chinese partner in the project.

Germany-based BASF and wind turbine group Mingyang said the 500MW Xuwen Dongsan demonstration plant received the green light from officials in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province.

Work on construction of the wind farm is due to start this year with a view to power generation by the end of next year, said Mingyang.

The plan was unveiled by the partners last year to supply green power to BASF’s €10bn ($11bn) Zhanjiang Verbund site, its largest ever investment.

Mingyang claimed "the collaboration promises to bring forth safer and more cost-effective wind power technologies by merging Mingyang's prowess in renewable energy with BASF's expertise in advanced materials".

BASF has been at the forefront of involvement by large corporates in offshore wind, showing itself willing to not only sign deals for power but to become involved as a partner in projects. It will have a 10% stake in the Chinese plant.

The company has also been outspoken in its support for Chinese wind technology, which former executive chairman Martin Brudermüller last year hailed as “technically better” as well as cheaper than that of European rivals.
That claim drew a sharp response from the European wind supply chain, with WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson stating that “I can’t ever remember an investor, a developer in wind energy making comments like that”.
Mingyang – which thanks to its big inroads in China was the world’s largest offshore turbine supplier last year – has been at the forefront of efforts to internationalise Chinese wind equipment, including with a controversial plan to site production in the UK.
(Copyright)

Related

Published 3 June 2024, 12:27Updated 3 June 2024, 12:56
MingYang Smart EnergyBASFChinaAsia-Pacific