October 14, 2008

China unveils renewable energy development plan for 2006-10

Xinhua reported that China's annual consumption of renewable energy will reach the equivalent of 300 million tonnes of standard coal by 2010, which would be 10% of its total annual energy consumption, under the renewable energy development plan for 2006 to 2010.

According to a plan released by National Development and Reform Commission that 2010 renewable energy consumption will nearly double the 2005 level, which was equivalent to 166 million tonnes of standard coal. That led to a reduction of 3 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide emissions and more than 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The plan says China boasts abundant renewable resources that could be exploited by 2010 include

1. The nation will have hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 190 million kilowatts and wind power projects with installed capacity of 10 million KW.

2. The installed capacity of bio-energy projects will reach 5.5million KW and that of solar energy projects will be 300,000 KW.

3. Domestically produced hydropower equipment and solar water heaters should become competitive on global markets.

4. Wind power equipment manufacturers should put generating units with installed capacities of at least 1.5 million watts into mass production.