Massive capital for renewable power
By Xie Chuanjiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-26 08:44
"A group of major hydro-power bases will be established along major rivers," Wu
said. "Scores of wind power plants, each with a production capacity of 1 million
kilowatts annually, will be set up along the eastern coastal areas and
northwestern and northern China."
Solar energy will be extensively used in remote rural areas, including for
water heaters and cooking facilities.
As the world's leader in the use of solar cells, China intends to increase
the total area of cells in use to 300 million square metres by 2020.
"China has made some progress in the renewable energy sector but is still in
the initial stages," Wu said.
Hydropower produced 400 billion kilowatt-hours last year, 16 per cent of
China's total consumption, with the Three Gorges project generating 48.6 billion
kilowatt-hours. It is expected to generate 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours annually
when it is completed in 2009.
Even so, Wu said: "Two-thirds of water resources remain unexploited.
"In the hydro-power sector, we are facing challenges including environmental
protection and the relocation of residents.
"China lags far behind Europe and the United States in developing wind power,
though it is a wind-rich country."
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