China has a firm grip on the wind energy market. In this way, the country exercises control over Europe.
An industry expert warns of the consequences. Germany wants to build wind farms with a capacity of 30 gigawatts by 2030, just at sea. Industry estimates suggest that approximately 7,000 wind turbines will be needed - each the size of the Eiffel Tower. The European Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) already provides European countries with the legal framework for possible responses. It says that 40 percent of all green technologies must be manufactured in Europe. EU leaders are currently discussing how the relevant regulations should be designed to give the wind industry a "fair framework." The Chinese state subsidizes its companies extremely, explained Bärbel Heidebroek, President of the Federal Wind Energy Association (BWE). "This is not fair competition. European wind manufacturers cannot compete with this," he said. European governments must ensure that this does not happen again with wind power.