The 2024 Shantou International Wind Power Technology Innovation Conference, which took place from December 4 to 6, showcased Shantou's advancements and its commitment to exploring new models for wind power development, expanding international cooperation, and accelerating the global energy transition.
Shantou, a city by the seashore, is harnessing the power of the wind to build a world-class wind power industry cluster, marking a new chapter in China's renewable energy ambitions.
Leveraging abundant wind resources
Shantou's strategic location along the coast provides it with abundant offshore wind resources, which account for over one-third of Guangdong Province's total. This natural advantage has positioned Shantou as a frontrunner in the development of offshore wind power in China.
Yu Chenguang, General Manager of the Offshore Business Unit at Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized, "Shantou indeed has very rich wind power resources, which are unparalleled among other cities in the country."
International cooperation and innovation
The conference brought together nearly 600 delegates from over 20 countries, including government officials, representatives from international organizations, and business executives, to share insights and foster collaboration.
Zhao Feng, Director of Strategy and Market Analysis at the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), highlighted the uniqueness of Shantou's industry chain, stating that even the birthplace of global offshore wind power, Denmark, does not possess such a strong and complete industrial chain, which is an important back up for large-scale wind power production and application.
Pioneering new technologies
Among the conference's highlights were the launch of the world's first "four-in-one" offshore wind power equipment manufacturing park and the unveiling of Goldwind's new ultra-deep sea 22-megawatt wind turbine. These developments signify Shantou's charge into uncharted waters, innovating and developing cutting-edge wind power technologies. "The launch of this product can effectively accelerate the pace of Shantou and even China's wind power equipment manufacturing going global," said Yu Chenguang.
The construction of the Shantou International Wind Power Innovation Port is also a testament to the city's role in developing new models of wind power development. With a robust and comprehensive industrial chain as support, Shantou is providing solutions for a new generation of energy production. These experiences and technologies are expected to further help other countries and regions, especially Southeast Asian nations and those along the Belt and Road, to achieve climate-related development goals.
As Shantou takes off with the wind, it is moving towards a low-carbon, cleaner, and better future, offering a beacon of hope for the global renewable energy sector. With its innovative spirit and strong industrial foundation, Shantou is well on its way to becoming a golden port linking global collaborative innovation and development in wind power, carrying the mission of building a world-class wind power industry cluster.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua, Yu Dan
Cameraman | Luo Xuntian, Wu Xiaqing
Video editor | Ou Nanying
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
