Asia's first third-party wind energy technology center started operations Monday in north China's port city of Tianjin, which specializes in testing fan blades.
The wind energy technology center belongs to the SGS-CSTC Standards Technical services Co., Ltd. -- a joint venture of government-backed China Standard Technology Development Corporation and Swiss-based SGS Group. It is located in Tianjin Binhai New Area, home to about 30 wind energy manufacturers from home and abroad.
CEO of SGS Group Chris Kirk said wind energy is expected to surpass nuclear energy to become the third most important energy source in China.
According to Kirk, there are only less than 10 wind energy fan blades testing centers in the world that can meet the international general standard.
"The SGS testing center in Tianjin will offer certificate services for fan blade manufacturing companies with more convenience and enhance the R&D level of China's wind energy enterprises," said Richard Shentu, managing director with the China region company of SGS-CSTC.
The wind energy technology center covers an area of about 10,000 square meters with a total investment of 70 million yuan (about ＄10.8 million).