Agenda
Challenges
The total reserves of coal at year-end 2008 accounted 13.9 percent, which ranks China third after United States and Russia. Reaching 42.6% of world consumption, China is the biggest coal producer followed by United States (17%). China ranks third for its subbituminous coal and lignite reserves, with recoverable reserves totaling 114.5 billion tons.
Political
China is one of the countries where renewable energy consumption is growing rapidly. In 2008, China has already reached the renewable target for 10 percent of primary energy established for 2010, the goal for 2020 is to achieve 15 percent of final energy consumption from renewables. The 12th Five Year Plan seek to establish low-carbon development, also will be imposed a new tax on coal, oil and gas extraction in western Chinese provinces.
From 2001 to 2008, coal accounts for 66%-70% in China’s energy consumption, oil accounts for 20% or so. Clean energy such as nuclear power, hydropower and wind power sum up to 7%-8%. Consumption of fossil energy brings great carbon emissions, as well as serious pollution.
Status
Growth
Before 1973 China's oil and coal exports were relatively small. China became a significant force in international energy markets in 1985, with nearly 40.4 million tons of oil equivalent exported. Policies of energy development and control are apparent in the Seventh Five-Year Plan (1986-1990), which is characterized by the desire to increase energy production but also to reduce energy consumption.
From 2001 to 2008, coal accounts for 66%-70% in China’s energy consumption, oil accounts for 20% or so. Clean energy such as nuclear power, hydropower and wind power sum up to 7%-8%. Consumption of fossil energy brings great carbon emissions, as well as serious pollution.
In 2009 China’s wind power capacity surpassed the country’s installed nuclear capacity, with just over 13.8 GW added to reach a total of 25.8 GW. This means that China doubled its existing wind power capacity for the fifth year running in 2009. China installed the first major offshore wind project outside of Europe in 2009, adding 63 MW by year-end for a project that reached 102 MW upon completion in early 2010.
Targets
Biomass power has also grown significantly in several developing countries, including China, which its capacity rose 14 percent in 2009 to 3.2 GW, and the country plans to install up to 30 GW by 2020.In terms of investment for solar thermal power, in early 2010, a deal was signed for at least 2 GW to be constructed in China by 2020, with installation of the first 92 MW to begin in 2020. In the long term China has set an objective of having 30% or more of its total energy requirements satisfied by renewable sources by 2050.
Institutional Structures
The Mission of the Ministry of Land and Resources
The mission of the Ministry of Land and Resources of China is to be responsible for the planning, administration, protection and rational utilization of such natural resources as land , mineral and marine resources in the People's Republic of China.
The Clean Development Mechanism
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) offers important opportunities for sustainable development in China. The energy sector, in particular, could benefit through new approaches in energy efficiency and renewable energies. Emissions reduction options, which can be transferred to industrialized countries to meet their obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, are also available in other sectors.
Budget
Current
The Chinese government reportedly invested $180 million in the development of wind power equipment, and most provided funding for developing megawatt-size wind turbines, including variable pitch rotors and variable speed generators.
Global investment in wind power exceeded USD 60 billion in 2009, of which China alone shared over USD 20 billion.
History
Since 2008 the financial crisis has swept across the world, causing the global economy to slip into recession. In 2009, however, the wind power industry was among the few new industries to stimulate the world economy towards recovery. A total of 869 Chinese projects have been approved by the United Nations, accounting for 38.71% of the total number of CDM projects registered, and income from the CDM has made an important contribution to investors' return from wind farm development.
Key Policies
Recent Legislation
During the past two decades or so, China has promulgated dozens of laws and regulations that promote sustainable development, with positive impacts on climate change, including laws on environmental protection, energy conservation, development of new and renewable energy, reforestation, soil and water conservation, and the like.
A new legislation was adopted just before the start of 2010 which contents many amendments to the Renewable Energy Law. The main purpose is to expand tax incentives and subsidies for the development of renewable energy technologies, also to update the subsidy framework for renewable energy purchases.
In late 2010 was discussed a plan for next 10 years regarding the total power capacity, which it supposed to be 1600 GW to include 500 GW from renewable source, including 300 GW of hydropower, 150 GW of wind power, and 30 GW of biomass power, along with 20 GW of solar photovoltaic.
In November 2005, NDRC Vice Minister Zhang Guobao stated that China would soon enact a Renewable Energy Law and would commit a staggering 1.5 trillion yuan ($184 billion) to the development of renewable energy through 2020, with the objective of raising the renewable percentage of total energy consumption from seven to 15 percent. The Renewable Energy Law was enacted by the National People’s Congress in 2005 and became effective on January 1, 2006.
Miscellaneous
Further Information
China has the world’s largest hydroelectric power infrastructure, with installed hydropower capacity of 150 gigawatts, and total hydroelectric consumption of 132.4 million tons of oil equivalent (or roughly 583 terawatt-hours of electricity). China has become one of the world's largest markets for wind turbines, adding 1,000MW of capacity in 2006.
Transition to Globalisation
China Blows Past EU, US with Wind Turbines
China installed more new wind turbines than either Europe or the United States last year, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) says. Globalisation > Economy > Energy > Sources > Renewable > Wind
Transition to Political Tools
ASEAN Calls to Boost Renewable Energy
[ASEAN] energy ministers on Thursday called for cooperation to boost renewable energy use amid soaring oil prices which cast a shadow over one of the world's most dynamic regional economies.
Political Tools > National > China > Dom.Policies > Economy > Energy
Transition to Political Actors
WWEA launches Working Group on Community Power
Decentralised investment and participation of local communities is key for utilisation of wind energy on a large scale and for effective climate change mitigation.
Political Actors > Civil society > NGOs > Energy
