GE boosts China renewables business

Nonfossil energy shines as company will invest another $10 billion in projects worldwide

General Electric Co, the US-based, globally diversified technology, services and manufacturing conglomerate, will further fuel its renewable energy business in China through consistent investment as the country is pushing hard for more share of renewables in its overall energy mix.

GE, which has already invested $15 billion in research and development in the global clean-energy market since 2005, plans to add another $10 billion in investment in renewables over the next few years.

China, already the fifth largest market for GE, will be a major part of the blueprint as the country aims to have 15 percent of its power generated from nonfossil energy, which are alternative sources of energy that don't rely on fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas.

Fifteen percent of the country's energy mix by 2020 would generate an additional investment as large as 2.3 trillion yuan ($356 billion; 314 billion euros), according to an industrial document prepared for the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) by the country's energy watchdog, the National Energy Administration.

"China, the world's largest market for renewable energy, is still growing at a fast pace, so we will continue to invest in that market, looking for more growth and market share," says Jerome Pecresse, president and chief executive officer of GE's renewable energy division, which ranks No 1 in renewables applications.

Pecresse did not release the investment figure for the Chinese market because the company does not break down investments on a country basis.

GE's renewable business in China will focus on hydro and offshore wind-power projects across the country, especially in southern areas.

The company accounts for 20 percent of the total Chinese installed capacity of large hydro projects. Pecresse hopes to further expand its hydro business as untapped potential is vast in southern and southwestern China.

His remarks came after GE separated its renewable energy business from its power division, following the acquisition of the France-based Alstom SA's energy business.

The new unit expands GE's hydro footprint in China with contracts for hydro turbines and generators covering 53 gigawatts, out of which approximately 40 gW are already in commercial operation.

Last year, GE was awarded a contract worth $500 million by China Three Gorges Corp, a longstanding partner of the company, to supply six hydro turbines with installed capacity of 850 megawatts for the Wudongde hydropower project, which will be China's third-largest hydroelectric facility once completed. The hydropower project is located on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze at the borders of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

After the French acquisition, GE's global wind footprint rose to more than 30,000 turbines and expanded its presence in Europe by 50 percent.

GE is also looking to expand its offshore wind-power business in China, an industry still in the developmental stage with a huge potential for growth.

Pecresse says the company is eager to explore markets outside China along with Chinese companies as they are seeking to acquire new projects as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The initiative would connect China with Europe, Africa and other areas by means of investment and infrastructure along the traditional Silk Road routes.

"We can provide not only technical expertise, but also a local supply of hydropower equipment and services for Chinese companies, because we have presence and local connections in many countries," Pecresse says.

Lu Jinyong, a professor at the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics, says China leads the rest of the world in renewable energy development and investment, providing a huge opportunity for companies like GE.

"The country is making big bets on renewable energy. So even though the economy is slowing down, huge potential for growth still exists in the sectors of wind, hydro, solar and other renewables," he says.

lvchang@chinadaily.com.cn