The application prospects of decentralized wind power still need time to observe
September 12 11:24:43, 2025
The two-year journey of decentralized wind power has reached a pivotal moment. What comes next? According to plans, it’s set to experience an explosive growth and become the dominant model for parallel wind power development. Are we ready?
On October 17, the second day of the Beijing International Wind Energy Conference, Room 103 on the first floor of the New International Exhibition Center was packed with attendees eager to discuss the future of "decentralized wind power" in China. The conversation was lively, highlighting both optimism and concerns.
Supporters argue that decentralized wind power, integrated into the distribution network, reduces transmission losses and grid impact, offering a new path for the industry. Jin Shen, an engineer from Shanghai Electric Wind Energy Co., Ltd., explained, “Decentralized wind power is smaller and closer to the load center, helping to solve some of the issues with wind power consumption. It's a new breakthrough for developers.â€
However, skeptics worry that without a fundamental shift in the national energy structure, neither centralized nor decentralized models will fully eliminate curtailment problems. Shi Lishan, deputy director of the National Energy Administration’s Department of Renewable Energy, emphasized that China will no longer focus solely on large-scale wind farms and instead encourage decentralized development. These projects are located near load centers and are connected directly to the local grid for local consumption.
While policy supports decentralized wind power as a way to resolve grid integration challenges, real-world applications remain uncertain. So far, only a few demonstration projects have been implemented. For example, Huaneng Dingbian’s 1.5 MW project and a 69 MW project in Hami, Xinjiang, are among the few that have gone live.
Experts like Xing Zuoxia from Shenyang University of Technology believe decentralized wind power can help integrate scattered resources and reduce reliance on long-distance transmission. However, the enthusiasm for such projects remains limited, with many regions still facing regulatory and technical hurdles.
One major concern is the risk of islanding, where decentralized systems disconnect from the main grid and operate independently. This could create instability if not properly managed. Additionally, existing laws restrict direct electricity sales by distributed generators, making it difficult for them to participate in the market.
Despite these challenges, the government continues to promote decentralized wind power. The National Energy Administration aims to install 30 million kW of decentralized capacity during the "12th Five-Year Plan." Analysts suggest that collaboration between government, developers, and grid companies is essential for success.
Meanwhile, some experts argue that reducing coal power capacity could make more room for renewables. Wang Zhongying proposed that legal frameworks should ensure grid companies prioritize wind power, similar to Germany’s approach. This would force thermal plants to adapt or improve efficiency.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: decentralized wind power is here to stay, but its success depends on policy support, technological innovation, and a shift in how we think about energy systems.