Chinese firm with military ties supplying turbines for German wind farm
Germany’s Waterkant offshore wind farm, scheduled to begin operations in 2028, will use turbines from Mingyang Smart Energy, a Chinese company with strong ties to the Chinese military and Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to a report by Newsweek. The project, led by German asset manager Luxcara, aims to generate nearly 300 megawatts of electricity — enough to power around 400,000 households.
The North Sea wind farm is located near NATO members Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
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Mingyang Smart Energy, a renewable energy company with projects in Europe, reportedly has ties with the Chinese Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army, employing over 300 military veterans.
What concerns have been raised about Mingyang’s involvement?
According to Chinese government profiles cited by Newsweek, Mingyang’s founder, Zhang Chuanwei, is a former People’s Liberation Army member and longtime CCP loyalist. The company reportedly employs hundreds of military veterans and its internal party committee places former soldiers in key operational roles.
A confidential report for Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defense reviewed by Newsweek warned that allowing Chinese suppliers into critical infrastructure presents technological, political and supply chain risks.
Germany’s interior ministry declined to comment on specific projects but told Newsweek it takes seriously the risks posed by untrustworthy manufacturers in the energy sector. Luxcara defended its decision, and said it conducted technical, economic and security assessments with external experts and found no reason to exclude Mingyang from the project.
Separately, a German defense ministry analysis reported on by Politico urged officials to block projects like Waterkant on national security grounds. That report warned that Chinese-made turbines could give Beijing access to essential infrastructure and the ability to disrupt operations in a crisis.
What role does Mingyang play in Europe’s wind sector?
While Waterkant is Mingyang’s first project in the North Sea, the company has expanded its European footprint. According to Newsweek, Norwegian authorities recently excluded Mingyang from a major offshore wind tender without providing a public explanation.
Analysts and security experts interviewed by Newsweek warned that reliance on Chinese suppliers for renewable energy could expose European countries to strategic vulnerabilities. While Europe pushes toward energy diversification and carbon neutrality, the affordability of Chinese-made components complicates efforts to limit foreign dependencies. As reported by Newsweek, the European Commission is investigating Mingyang over allegations of unfair state subsidies.
Politico reported that Chinese suppliers could remotely delay or shut down turbine operations, posing “considerable blackmail potential” in a geopolitical crisis.
Is Mingyang expanding elsewhere despite security concerns?
Mingyang continues to pursue projects across Europe, even after Norway excluded the company from its 1.5-gigawatt tender. Scottish officials have shown interest in hosting a Mingyang turbine facility. Still, they have said all foreign investment decisions will be subject to due diligence and national security review.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
