Assessment of emission reduction potential and economic feasibility for China's offshore wind power industry based on CCER mechanism

LI Yun; SUN Yaqi; LIU Xintong; HAN Yaxuan; XUE Xiaoda

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015

Volume 44 Issue 5

May 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(5): 151-160

LI Yun, SUN Yaqi, LIU Xintong, HAN Yaxuan, XUE Xiaoda. Assessment of emission reduction potential and economic feasibility for China's offshore wind power industry based on CCER mechanism[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(5): 151-160. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015

Citation:

LI Yun, SUN Yaqi, LIU Xintong, HAN Yaxuan, XUE Xiaoda. Assessment of emission reduction potential and economic feasibility for China's offshore wind power industry based on CCER mechanism[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(5): 151-160. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015

Citation:

LI Yun, SUN Yaqi, LIU Xintong, HAN Yaxuan, XUE Xiaoda. Assessment of emission reduction potential and economic feasibility for China's offshore wind power industry based on CCER mechanism[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(5): 151-160. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015

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Assessment of emission reduction potential and economic feasibility for China's offshore wind power industry based on CCER mechanism

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015

College of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Received Date: 2025-08-17
Available Online: 2026-06-06

Abstract

Abstract

In 2023， the National Greenhouse Gas （GHG） Voluntary Emission Reduction Trading Market in China was relaunched， using the China Certified Emission Reduction （CCER） as its trading unit. As an important supplement to the national carbon market， the CCER mechanism aims to further stimulate emission reduction efforts， especially within key sectors such as offshore wind power. This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of CO₂ and major air pollutant emission reductions in China's offshore wind power industry， and examined its economic feasibility within the framework of the CCER policy. Specifically， this research adopted the CCER methodology， utilized both baseline scenario analysis and empirical data from 2020 and projections for 2025， and quantitatively estimated the reduction of CO₂ emissions as well as principal air pollutants （including particulate matter， sulfur dioxide， and nitrogen oxides） achieved by the offshore wind sector. The assessment process involved constructing detailed emission inventories for different coastal provinces， applying authoritative grid emission factors， and calculating corresponding emission reductions attributable to offshore wind power expansion. Then， this study comprehensively evaluated the economic viability of the industry by accounting for the levelized cost of electricity （LCOE）， additional revenues generated through CCER transactions， and the external environmental benefits associated with lower pollutant discharge. The analysis further considered the dynamic interplay between market-based carbon pricing and evolving operational costs. The results of this research provide four significant policy insights for the strategic development of China’s offshore wind industry. First， while the sector demonstrated a consistently positive trend in emission reduction performance and economic-environmental contribution， it might face the risk of financial deficits by 2025 in the absence of CCER subsidies. Second， economically developed coastal provinces exhibit greater potential for the development of the offshore wind power industry due to their resource， infrastructure， and policy advantages. Third， profitability analysis for 2020 and 2025 indicates that with appropriate policy support， the offshore wind power sector could achieve sustainable economic returns. Fourth， among various air pollutants， the development of the offshore wind industry results in the largest reduction in nitrogen oxides， while the reduction of sulfur dioxide yield the most significant co-benefits. Overall， this study offers important evidence and actionable policy recommendations for planning and regulating the future growth of China's offshore wind power sector， providing a robust analytical basis for both academic research and practical decision-making.
- CCER,
- offshore wind power,
- emission reduction potential,
- economic analysis,
- carbon emissions,
- air pollutant emissions

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References(29)

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