The world’s top wind power nations should look to their laurels. China is planning to join them at the top of the rankings. China Three Gorges Corp is already the largest hydropower company. It is spending about $6.5bn on three offshore wind farms in south-eastern Guangdong province.
The state-owned power company, until now best known for its hydroelectric dams, is planning to triple its electricity capacity from wind turbines and solar panels to 80 gigawatts in the next three years. The new plants will give Three Gorges total wind power capacity of 5m kilowatts, making it the world’s largest offshore operator.
The UK currently leads the world’s offshore wind capacity at 10.4GW. China, with 9.4GW, added record capacity in 2020. A bulging pipeline means it should overtake the UK this year.