Chengdu Special: New energy focus puts Shuangliu on the map

In the past, Shuangliu county in Chengdu was mainly known for its air-port, but now the county has raised its profile by hosting an international event - the 2012 China (Chengdu) New Energy International Summit and Exposition, which is scheduled to be held from Nov 11 to 12.

The event aims to facilitate exchange and communication between governments, enterprises, institutions and trade associations to spur the healthy development of the alternative energy industry, said Li Yong, a member of the county's standing Party committee.

A number of companies from China and abroad are expected to present state-of-the art products and technology at the expo, Li said.

With a focus on opportunities and challenges in the context of industrial restructuring, government officials, leading manufacturers, experts and scholars will discuss and exchange ideas on a wide range of hot issues in the field of alternative energy, organizers said.

Since its establishment in 2008, the annual event has become one of the largest and most influential events in China, they noted.

To date, contracts for more than 30 projects involving a combined investment totaling 34.4 billion yuan ($5.5 billion) have been signed at the expo.

Rapid growth

Shuangliu's alternative energy industry started almost from scratch. Yet, after four years of efforts, the county has emerged as a leading industry hub of alternative energy.

At present, 53 alternative energy projects with a combined investment of 82.7 billion yuan have been signed with its 49-square-kilometer South-west Airport Economic Development Zone. Investors include Tianwei New Energy, Apollo Solar, Hanergy Holding Group, the Nuclear Power Institute of China, Xinguang Silicon and Zhonghan Power.

In 2008, local authorities set a target of building a State-level alternative energy industrial base with a planned production value of 100 billion yuan.

At that time, the central government released a pack-age of incentives to encourage growth in domestic demand, such as increasing investment in emerging industries like alternative energy.

The Shuangliu government decided to grasp the opportunity to develop the industry rather than waiting for investment projects, said Gao Zhijian, Party chief of the county.

After the authorities endorsed a strategy for developing alternative energy industry in early 2009, the county entered into a new stage in the industry.

Shuangliu's annual sales in the alternative energy industry surged more than 30 times over, growing from 800 million in 2008 to 25.7 billion yuan in 2011.

The figure is expected to reach 100 billion yuan in 2015 and 200 billion yuan in 2017.

The county has ranked first for four straight years among China's top 100 counties in terms of alternative energy industry development, according to a report released at an annual meeting for the development of China's alternative energy industry held in September.

In October, the Southwest Airport Economic Development Zone was awarded the designation National Innovation Base for Promoting Trade through Science and Technology by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

'Promising platform'

The zone's rapid development is attributed to its sound infrastructure, preferential investment policies and quality government services, according to reports in local media.

"The industrial environment of the zone has created a promising platform for enterprises," said a director at Tianwei New Energy, a subsidiary of the Tianwei Group.

Tianwei moved into the zone five years ago, when the county signed a contract for what was the biggest project at that time - the initial phase of the Tianwei New Energy Park, involving investments totaling 5.4 billion yuan.

Today, Tianwei New Energy has been granted the status of a national high-tech enterprise and ranked among top 50 industrial enterprises in Sichuan province in 2011. Most of its products are exported to European and American countries via the airport nearby.

"When we learned that Tianwei Group was searching for a partnership in Sichuan, we realized this is an opportunity," said an official from the county's New Energy Industry Promotion Office.

More than 6 billion yuan has been invested in the zone's infrastructure to attract companies like Tianwei.

Shuangliu succeeded in seizing the opportunity thanks to its good investment policies and government service. Soon after, other renowned companies, such as Hanergy Group, Xushuang Solar and Apollo Solar were added to the list of major names, driving the growth of Shuangliu's alternative energy industry.

Home to the Chengdu Shuangliu International Air-port, the fourth largest airport in China, Shuangliu also boasts a widespread land transport network.

A series of local amenities, including water supply plants, converting stations, gas stations, staff dormitories, business incubation parks, and comprehensive business and consumption centers, also contribute to the appeal of the zone.

Currently, an international hospital with 800 beds and an international school for elite primary education are under construction.

You may contact the writers at liyu@chinadaily.com.cn and pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn