In the tropical climate of China’s Yunnan province, scientists are planting a key ingredient to help strengthen the country’s position as the world leader in wind power: balsa trees.
Balsa, best known as a craft material for making model airplanes, is a major component of giant blades for wind turbines. China’s $60 billion wind industry sources almost all its materials domestically, but it’s had to reach abroad for the lightweight wood.
As the country that builds the most turbines in the world rushes to install wind power at a blistering pace, to reach ambitious climate targets, suppliers are struggling to find enough balsa. To relieve the shortage and reduce imports, China is now looking to grow its own.