China sets targets for local renewable energy use

BEIJING -- China has set specific targets on non-hydroelectric renewable energy consumption for local governments in a bid to improve its energy structure, according to a guideline released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Thursday.

By 2020, non-hydroelectric renewable energy should account for between 5 percent and 13 percent of total electricity consumption for provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, according to the guideline.

Local energy authorities are also encouraged to set higher targets and offer incentives for local enterprises to produce renewable energy.

Power companies, with the exception of some non-fossil energy companies, should produce at least 9 percent of total electricity from non-hydroelectric renewable energy by 2020.

China has vowed to increase non-fossil fuel sources for primary energy consumption to 15 percent by 2020 and 20 percent by 2030.