Denmark's Berlingske newspaper exclusively revealed in a bombshell report based on confidential documents: Ørsted, the world's largest offshore wind operator, is secretly advancing a plan codenamed “Project Dragon.” Its core objective is to procure Chinese offshore wind turbines between 2026 and 2028. This development indicates that the leading European company has shifted its stance on Chinese wind power equipment from an “open attitude” to substantive implementation planning.
In response to the allegations, Ørsted CEO Rasmus Errboe neither confirmed nor denied them, stating only:“The company continuously evaluates all technologies and suppliers globally. Selection criteria encompass quality, technical capabilities, performance, commercial terms, and regulatory requirements—a standard applied worldwide.” This stance aligns with the company's position two years ago that it “does not absolutely rule out Chinese wind turbines,” laying the groundwork for its current plans.
This development has caused quite a stir in the Western wind power industry. In recent years, China's offshore wind turbines have rapidly gained prominence through technological advancements and cost advantages. However, Western industry and political circles remain deeply concerned, fearing that Europe's wind power sector might follow the solar industry's path of being dominated by China. Consequently, the topic of “Western companies purchasing Chinese wind turbines” has always been highly sensitive.
There have been precedents. Investment fund Luxcara had previously placed orders for wind turbines from China's Mingyang Smart Energy for the Waterkant offshore wind farm in Germany. This directly prompted investigations by the German government and security agencies, ultimately leading the project to change course and select Siemens Gamesa turbines instead.
Companies like Italy's Renexia and chemical giant BASF have publicly endorsed Chinese wind turbines, while developers such as RWE and Vattenfall are quietly engaging with Chinese manufacturers. Ørsted's “secret plan” marks the first time an industry giant has been revealed to have concrete procurement plans, breaking the previous deadlock where companies “dared to think but not to act.”
Interestingly, the “Dragon Project” codename has a notorious history in the wind power industry: Vestas was once exposed for using the pretext of purchasing Indian wind turbines to attempt to crack their technical secrets.
