Germany's economy ministry has announced it will closely examine a deal involving Chinese-made wind turbines destined for an offshore project in the North Sea. The agreement, struck between German asset manager Luxcara and Chinese firm Ming Yang, plans to install 16 turbines with a capacity of up to 18.5 MW each by 2028.
A ministry spokesperson informed Reuters, “The federal government will look at this decision very closely. On the one hand, in relation to the question of critical infrastructure. On the other hand, the level playing field must be maintained in relation to competition.”
This scrutiny comes amidst broader trade tensions between Europe and China, particularly highlighted in the electric car sector where the EU has proposed tariffs on Chinese imports. Europe's wind industry lobby, WindEurope, criticized the deal, expressing concerns about granting China access to critical infrastructure in Germany and advocating for fair competition within the European supply chain.
Luxcara defended the agreement, stating it followed an international tender process and rigorous due diligence covering environmental, social, and governance compliance, along with cybersecurity standards. The project, named Waterkant, aims to power approximately 400,000 households, contributing to Germany's renewable energy target of covering 80% of its power needs by 2030.
