China Vows to Develop Medium & Long-term Renewable Resources

Rapid economic development worldwide is consuming large amounts of resources at present, resulting in severe pollution problems caused by the rapid growth of resources consumption.

The issue has aroused the attention of governments of different nations all over the world. The Chinese government is also making great efforts in this regard, lately releasing a medium and long-term plan to increase its share of renewable resources with regards to national energy consumption.

A senior official has revealed that China plans for a tenth of its energy to come from renewable resources, which include hydro, solar, wind and bio-energy, by 2010, and fifteen percent by 2020, as compared to the present share of only seven percent.

According to the Development Plan of Medium and Long-Term Renewable Resources passed by the central government in early June, it aims to utilise renewable resources to an amount equal to 270 million US dollars worth of coal by 2010, with hydropower, wind and bio-energy top of the agenda.

Chen Deming, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said at a news conference in Beijing, that the Chinese government is determined to realise the set goal.

"As a large country of great responsibility, like many other nations, China must take full advantage of utilising renewable resources and adjust our energy structure. The target we set, which has been seldom made by other countries, is a large challenge and foreseeable to us as well."

Chen Deming said besides being environment-friendly and able to ensure energy security, renewable resources, particularly bio-energies, can help boost farmers' income as bio-diesel and ethanol consume chaff as feedstock.

The official added that China is rich in renewable resource energies, having 540 million megawatts of hydropower, the surplus of agriculture and forestry products equaling 500 million tones of coal every day and large amounts of wind power as well.

He said that the abundance of these resources clearly assures a stable and long-term supply of green power for the development of the country.

As to the merits of these clean energies, Chen Deming said it is of great significance to overall economic progress in the future.

"First, remote areas and some villages in the country, that have not been included in the national electricity grid, can be vitalized by utilising renewable resources. Secondly, it can also help alter the economic structure and growth mode of China. Thirdly, green power is conducive to realising the target of an innovative country."

However, according to the NDRC, a number of difficulties also exist in this regard as the decentralisation of various green powers require vast lands and technology support.

China is endeavouring to resolve the issues as the government encourages the use of wind and solar power, which presents more favourable conditions. In addition, preferential policies in regards to financing and tax will also enhance the share of national energy consumption.