China’s rapidly expanding offshore wind sector: legal risks and regulatory gaps in a policy-driven industry

In the context of climate change, advancing energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources has emerged as a global priority. As a large−scale, high−efficiency clean energy solution, offshore wind has been recognized as a pivotal pathway for countries to address energy challenges. China leads the world in both cumulative and newly installed offshore wind capacity, with its industry currently in a phase of rapid development. However, this swift growth has also brought a host of critical challenges and legal risks. This article critically examines the legal risks confronting China’s offshore wind industry and assesses the efficacy of its existing regulatory framework. The analysis reveals that China’s offshore wind development remains predominantly policy-driven, supplemented by general legal norms and national standards. Within this governance model, policies play a decisive role, while the legal framework remains fragmented and lags behind industry developments. This misalignment renders the current regulatory regime inadequate for addressing emerging risks. The article concludes that establishing a comprehensive and specialized legal framework tailored to the offshore wind sector is essential for ensuring the industry’s long-term sustainable development.