Founded in 1998, Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Company, or Goldwind, is a Chinese government wind turbine manufacturer based in Urumqi, Xinjiang. The company is one of the largest turbine manufacturers in China and one of the top five in the world. Who is the man at the helm?
Mr Wu Gang, 55, serves as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and General Manager. He has an Engineering Master’s degree from the Dalian Institute of Technology. He joined Xinjiang Wind Energy Co. in December 1987 and served as its Head of the Wind Generating Plant in 1989 and its Deputy General Manager in 1995. From 1998 to 2001, he served as General Manager of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd. He then became Head of Research Group of MW direct-drive wind generating set and key parts manufacturing from 2003.
Outside of Goldwind, he has been Deputy Director of Renewal Energy Committee of Chinese Association of Comprehensive Utilization of Energy and has served in wind generating sector for no less than 17 years. Mr Wu also served as Deputy Director of New Energy Equipment Committee of China Power Engineering Association and Deputy Director of New Energy Power Equipment Committee of the China Electro-Technology Association. In 2000, he was given the title of Xinjiang’s excellent Technological Engineer and in 2000, Participated in drawing up the design standards of the Chinese National Wind Generating Set. He continues to attend academic and other meetings across the world, but especially in Denmark, Germany, Britain and South Korea.
One of the founders of China´s modern wind industry, Mr Wu has led many national scientific and research projects during his 20+ year career. In addition to being granted numerous accolades from the Chinese government, he was honoured with the World Wind Energy Award in 2006 for his part in advancing the global wind industry. In 2009, Business Week named him one of “China´s Most Powerful People.”
Mr Wu Gang continues to be at the helm of Goldwind and steered them to continued growth in 2010 with an impressive increase in revenue and gross profits. There were a number of wind-related acquisitions to enhance component self-sufficiency within Goldwind. Deals were struck to supply equipment to wind farms in Ethiopia, Illinois (USA), Australia and Cyprus.
However, it is fair to say that Goldwind may be feeling the pressure from steadily increasing competition. Mr Wu Gang recently referred to the competition as “savage” and worried about what the effects of this “self-destructively pernicious” competition would be on the healthy development of the wind industry.
Undeterred, Goldwind have recently signed an agreement with China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) for a wind power project in Pakistan. The company said that it is Goldwind’s first order from Pakistan and the first joint overseas project for Goldwind and CTG. The agreement also includes two years of operations and maintenance service. Wu Gang said in the statement, “This project is our first in Pakistan andSouth Asia region. It represents a significant corporate milestone and will provide an example for our future development.”
The Schaeffler Group receives a ‘2011 Excellent Supplier Award’ from the Goldwind CEO (third from left)
Developing wind farms in high-altitude areas has become a priority for Chinese power companies and wind turbine manufacturers, as both look to exploit rich wind resources on China’s plains. Naturally, Goldwind are there at the forefront.
“We have tailor-made turbine models featuring larger blades and greater capacities for insulation, heat dissipation and lightening protection, in order to cope with harsher geographical and climate conditions in plateau areas,” said Wu Gang.
Wind power has developed by leaps and bounds in China over recent years, as it plays a crucial role in fulfilling the Chinese government’s pledge to have non-fossil fuels account for 15 percent of the country’s primary energy consumption by 2020.
By the end of 2010, China had 44.7GW cumulative installed wind capacity, beating the United States as the world’s largest wind power developer. China plans to have 100GW wind power connected to the grid by 2015. One can’t imagine that Goldwind are not going to be there in a large capacity, but as Wu Gang has said on more than one occasion:
“Goldwind’s goal is to become a multinational and international company.” 2012 is going to be a crucial year for Goldwing and for Wu Gang.
