The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) on Thursday expressed concerns over a recent report by a German think tank, which alleged Chinese wind equipment makers in Germany may “exploit turbine sensors for data collection.”
The CCCEU noted it firmly refutes the think tank’s allegation, which is “technically implausible and lacking factual basis.”
While national security is a valid consideration, its overuse risks distorting markets and undermining international trade, the Chinese chamber said, while urging Germany to uphold the principles of non-discrimination and avoid politicizing clean energy investments at a time when cooperation is essential for Europe’s green transition.
The CCCEU statement came after a report by the German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies which claimed that Chinese firms could harvest sensitive data and remotely shut down turbines if given access to wind farms. The think tank even called for Germany to suspend an existing wind project which included Chinese turbines, Politico reported.
The think tank alleged that, last year project developer Luxcara selected China’s Ming Yang Smart Energy to supply 16 turbines for its "Waterkant" offshore wind farm in northwest Germany. It suggested that the “first time use of Chinese wind turbines must be prevented” on “public safety” grounds, since it risks creating a reliance on Chinse expertise and providing access to “essential elements of German critical infrastructure” near militarily-relevant training areas, according to the Politico report.
Allegations that Chinese wind firms could exploit turbine sensors for data collection are technically implausible and lack factual basis. These sensors serve clear functions— optimizing turbine performance, monitoring faults, and protecting wildlife, the CCCEU said, according to a statement seen on its WeChat account on Thursday.
In the Waterkant project, for example, all control systems, data storage, and remote management remain with German and European project developers. Claims of “remote control” or “data leakage” are unsubstantiated claims and baseless, which will disrupt Europe's green transition, the CCCEU said.
The politicization of commercial projects threatens fair competition and investor confidence, the chamber said. Excluding Chinese firms based on unverified security concerns would constitute trade protectionism, contradicting the EU’s commitment to free markets.
Chinese wind power companies have been contributing to global green development with their efficient, innovative and reliable products, and have strictly complied with local regulations and safety requirements, the CCCEU said.
China and the EU share strong interests in renewable energy and carbon neutrality, and excluding Chinese suppliers would not only slow Germany’s own energy transition but also destabilize supply chains across Europe, the CCCEU stated.
The CCCEU calls on German authorities to maintain fairness and transparency, resisting artificial barriers that hinder clean energy cooperation. Chinese companies remain open to dialogue with German and EU stakeholders to ensure a fact-based, market-driven approach that safeguards Europe’s renewable energy future.
