China is the largest power producer and consumer and has the largest installed capacity of wind turbines (WTs) worldwide. In the last two decades, China’s installed capacity of WTs has exploded, significantly impacting its wind power (WP) industry and promoting the development of the industry globally. This paper examines China as one part of the world and elucidates its role, status, and impact on global WP development from a global perspective. Research indicates that China has become the global leader in WP, its WP development has greatly promoted the growth rate of global WP, and it has become an indispensable force in global WP development. However, the comprehensive capability of China’s WP generation is not only lower than that of other major WP countries but also lower than the global average. China’s WTs have low global recognition and are difficult to export. In addition, the proportion of WP in China’s power structure is lower than that of most other major WP countries. Fortunately, these gaps between China and other major WP countries are gradually narrowing. The goal of this paper is to help researchers and investors better understand China’s situation and to provide a reference for the rational investment in and development of China’s WP.

Introduction

Many countries have signed agreements to address global climate change, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and these countries are striving to fulfill their commitments [1,2]. There is consensus on the need to reduce fossil energy and to accelerate the development and utilization of renewable energy among most countries, and they are engaging in concerted action [3,4]. As a source of clean energy with high storage, no pollution, and using mature technology, many countries are seeking to utilize wind energy [5] and consider wind power (WP) to be a promising energy [6]. China, a major energy-consuming carbon emission country, is one of many countries that have installed wind turbines (WTs) (as shown in Fig. 1). The Chinese government is actively supporting the development of clean energy through laws, regulations, finance, and taxation. With the strong support of the Chinese government, the country’s WP has experienced explosive growth [7,8]. In 2018, the cumulative capacity of WP installed in China accounted for a record high of 35.7% of the total globally, ranking first. China’s WP development has attracted worldwide attention. To date, a high volume of literature has reported on country’s WP status, development and policies.