Recently, Chinese wind power equipment giant Daikin Heavy Industries and Spanish investment firm Zima Equity Investments signed a memorandum of understanding in the port of Higon, Asturias Autonomous Region, Spain, planning to jointly build an offshore wind power infrastructure manufacturing plant for the global market.

In the port of Higon in the autonomous region of Asturias in northern Spain, the sea breeze howls year-round. This was once the cradle of the European Industrial Revolution, and now it is ushering in a green energy revolution from the East. In March 2026, China's leading wind power equipment manufacturer Daikin Heavy Industries and Spain's Zima Equity Investments officially signed a memorandum of understanding, planning to build a modern offshore wind power infrastructure manufacturing plant in this deep-water port. This is not only a milestone in the industrial upgrading of Xihong Port, but also a key conclusion of China's wind power enterprise's "going global" strategy.

Why cross the ocean to build a factory?

Daikin Heavy Industries already has three mature export offshore bases in China, namely Penglai, Tangshan, and Panjin. Why invest heavily in building factories in Europe? The answer is hidden in the three words' floating '.

As European offshore wind power moves towards deeper waters, traditional fixed foundations are no longer sufficient to meet demand, and floating wind power has become a new growth pole. The Spanish government has ambitious plans to have its floating wind power installed capacity account for 40% of the total EU capacity by 2030, with 40 projects totaling 20GW currently under approval.

The person in charge of Daikin Heavy Industry admitted that for the huge floating foundation, it cannot be built in China and then dragged to Europe. The traditional "domestic production, cross-border transportation" model not only faces high logistics costs, but is also constrained by the increasingly strict localization policies of the European Union. Building a factory in Xihong Port means that Daikin Heavy Industries can directly produce at their doorstep in Europe, which not only shortens the delivery cycle but also avoids potential trade barriers.

The confidence behind billions of orders to go global

Daikin Heavy Industries dares to invest heavily in Europe due to its impressive overseas performance in recent years. According to its 2025 annual report, the company achieved a revenue of 6.174 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 63.34%; The net profit attributable to the parent company was 1.103 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 132.82%.

More importantly, export business has become the absolute engine for its profit growth. By 2025, the gross profit margin of the company's export business will reach 33.95%, and the contribution of export products to gross profit will increase from 59.16% to 81.06%. At present, the company's accumulated overseas orders have exceeded 10 billion yuan, providing a solid order guarantee for the landing of the Spanish factory.

From selling products to building an ecosystem

This cooperation is not just about building a factory, but also a declaration of Daikin Heavy Industries' integration into the European manufacturing ecosystem. According to the plan, the new factory will supply wind power basic products to Europe and other regions around the world, and Xihong Port will simultaneously undertake the distribution and pre assembly functions of offshore wind power projects.

Zima Equity Investments stated that the project will drive local subcontractors and suppliers to integrate into the supply chain, contributing to the economic development of the Asturias region. The relevant person in charge of Daikin Heavy Industries pointed out that the project not only strengthens the global supply chain layout, but also reflects the company's long-term commitment to the European manufacturing ecosystem.

With the establishment of the factory, Daikin Heavy Industries will face new challenges in localizing industrial worker training and cost control. However, regardless, this wind power giant ship from China has successfully sailed into the core area of deep waters in Europe.Editor/Yang Meiling