The UK’s ambitious green transition and how it can benefit from China’s industrial capabilities, particularly in the renewable energy sector, was the topic of the fourth panel at the UK-China Business Forum 2025 on 5 March
Chaired by James Brodie, Regional Director for Scotland and Commercial Director for Industrial at the China-Britain Business Council, the discussion featured insights from David Finnon, CTO of Red Rock Renewables; Chong Ng, Associate Director of Applied Research at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC); and Alex Grant, Partner at Pinsent Masons Law Firm. The panel examined the opportunities and challenges of integrating Chinese technology and expertise into the UK’s renewable energy landscape, with a particular focus on offshore wind.
James Brodie opened the discussion around the UK’s green transition by highlighting the UK’s leadership in offshore wind and China’s rapid rise in the sector. “The UK has been at the forefront of offshore wind globally, but China has now overtaken us in installed capacity. What more can Chinese suppliers and investors do to help the UK meet its net-zero targets?” he asked. The question set the stage for a conversation about collaboration, innovation, and the practicalities of integrating Chinese technology into UK projects.
David Finnon of Red Rock Renewables shared his experience of working on large-scale renewable energy projects, including a facility that will power half of Scotland’s homes. “We have two and a half years to get this project up and running,” he said. Finnon reflected on the challenges of bringing Chinese technology to the UK, recalling an attempt in 2011 to introduce Goldwind turbines. “It was like trying to plug a UK appliance into a Chinese socket—it just didn’t work. The technology had to be extensively modified, and for just three turbines, it wasn’t economically viable,” he explained. Finnon emphasised that while Chinese manufacturers are now more willing to adapt their products for international markets, success depends on volume and the establishment of local service networks. “It’s not just about plug-and-play; we need to build the infrastructure and expertise to support these turbines over their 30-year lifespan,” he said.
Finnon also highlighted the rapid evolution of offshore wind technology. “Fifteen years ago, turbines were 4 megawatts (MW); now, we’re looking at 15 MW turbines with blades as long as 236 metres. The scale of everything—turbines, ships, and installation equipment—has grown exponentially, and we’re struggling to keep up,” he said. Despite these challenges, Finnon expressed optimism about the potential for collaboration. “We’ve built strong relationships with our parent company in China, and that trust has been crucial. Recently, we closed a £3.5 billion deal for the Inch Cape project, which was driven by technical considerations rather than politics or funding,” he added.
Chong Ng of OREC echoed Finnon’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of collaboration and quality assurance. “Our aim is to catapult the offshore renewable sector forward. We’ve set up an investment fund to help UK companies explore opportunities in China and vice versa,” he said. Ng noted that while Chinese manufacturers are now more willing to modify their products for international markets, ensuring reliability remains a key challenge. “The industry is a small circle, and newcomers need to build relationships and trust. Quality is critical—if investors see that a product isn’t working, it undermines confidence,” he explained. Ng also highlighted the cost advantage of Chinese turbines, which are roughly one-third the price of European models. “If we can combine economies of scale with improved quality, we’ll find a middle ground that benefits everyone,” he said.
Ng raised an important question about the pace of innovation in the sector. “China installed the UK’s entire offshore wind capacity in just one year. They don’t need time to think—they just act. Meanwhile, European manufacturers are struggling to keep up,” he said. He warned against letting political agendas hinder progress. “If we’re too driven by politics, we risk missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime energy transition. Wind power is one of the most advanced forms of renewable energy, and if we cut off supply from China, where will we turn?” he asked.
Alex Grant of Pinsent Masons brought a legal perspective to the discussion, drawing on his experience working on 9 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity across Europe and Asia. “There are perceived risks when dealing with Chinese suppliers, but the market dynamics are broadly similar whether you’re in the Middle East or Europe,” he said. Grant highlighted the advantages of Chinese manufacturers, including lower unit costs and economies of scale, but acknowledged the challenges of bankability and quality assurance. “Developers need confidence in yield quantities and supplier responsiveness. These are areas where Chinese manufacturers are still building their reputation,” he explained.
Grant also addressed the shifting risk profile in supply contracts, which has made projects less bankable. “In recent years, there’s been a push to de-risk projects, but this has led to extreme positions that make it hard to achieve financial certainty. We need to find a more equitable allocation of risk,” he said. He compared the offshore wind industry to the oil and gas sector 60 years ago, noting that it is still in its infancy. “We’re innovating at an incredible pace, but that brings challenges. Developers are struggling to keep up with quality assurance as technology evolves,” he said.
The panel concluded with a consensus on the need for collaboration, trust, and a balanced approach to risk if the UK is to achieve a smooth green transition. James Brodie summarised the discussion by emphasising the importance of leveraging China’s industrial might to accelerate the UK’s green transition. “The UK and China have complementary strengths in the renewable energy sector. By working together, we can overcome technical and regulatory challenges and drive the global energy transition forward,” he said. As the world races to meet net-zero targets, the insights from this panel underscored the critical role of international collaboration in achieving a sustainable future.
