Starting from its first launch in 2008, the China Wind Power International Exhibition has invariably attracted increased attention from both the professional market and the public. In October 2018, this event was held for the eleventh time running in Beijing. The organizers were the Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA), the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the China National Renewable Energy Center (CNREC) and the China Wind Energy Equipment Association (CWEEA).

China’s strong leadership in the global wind energy market is by far the main driver of participation in such a large-scale exhibition. According to GWEC about 20,000 MW of new wind turbine capacities were installed in China in 2017, which amounted to approximately 37% of global indicators. At the same time in 2017, the combined total of three other leading countries - USA, Germany and Great Britain, less capacity was installed, compared to China. At the end of last year, China ranked first in terms of cumulative installed capacity, occupying 35% of the market. Despite the fact that after the peak achievements of China in the second half of the last decade, when annual growth exceeded 100%, or in 2015, when more than 30,000 MW were installed, the growth rates decreased significantly, China remains the leading region in the development of global wind energy.

The China Wind Power 2018 exhibition occupied an area of 60,000 m2, where about 650 participants demonstrated their latest developments, 214 of which represented 17 foreign countries, and more than 60,000 visitors were able to attend this event. After the explosive growth of the exhibition's statistical indicators in 2017 compared to the previous exhibition, in 2018 the total number of participants, including foreign ones, increased slightly decreased, but the number of visitors increased slightly.

Among the exhibitors there were the grandees of world wind energy - Danish Vestas, German Siemens, American GE, Chinese Sinovel, Envision Energy, Goldwind, and Longyuan Power. Several countries - leaders in the global production of wind turbines and related equipment - Germany, Denmark, Holland organized national pavilions with their many companies. The representation of European companies in the Chinese market is very significant. For example, China Vestas commissioned by Chinese Hanas Wind Power Co. Ltd., installed 200 MW last year for the Inner Mongolia Azuoqi Wind Farm.

All kinds of technological components of modern wind turbines, safety and control systems, testing and certification methods, means for transportation, installation and repair of wind turbines were presented at the exhibition. Among manufacturers, the largest representatives were companies associated with the production of electric equipment, control system, sensors. An important place was also occupied by the use of composite, chemical materials, optimization of mechanical structures (blades, gears, transmission, tower, brakes, hydraulic system), and electrical components (cable, wire, and electrical instruments).

Among foreign visitors, representatives of Germany and Denmark prevailed significantly; in addition to them there were many residents of the USA, Japan, South Korea, Holland, Great Britain and some other countries.

Numerous discussions about the prospects for the development of wind energy also took place at the international conference dedicated to the exhibition. Among the hundreds of speakers at this event were such prominent figures as Morten Dyrholm (Chairman of GWEC), Qin Haiyan (Deputy director and secretary general for Chinese Wind Energy Association, director for China General Certification Center) and others. Presentations were made on such important topics as the creation of diversified supply systems, the issues of exempting renewable energy from the tax burden, the construction of “smart wind farms” and future visions, the problems of emerging markets in Asia, including Mongolia and Vietnam. Special attention was paid to the development of offshore wind energy. Given the importance of this area, the next exhibition will be held next year as usual in October in Beijing, but with the additional China Wind Power Offshore section.