China unveils 2006-2010 renewable energy development plan

China's annual consumption of renewable energy will reach the equivalent of 300 million tons of standard coal by 2010, accounting for 10% of the total energy consumption every year, according to the renewable energy development plan for 2006 to 2010.

The target will lead to a reduction of 3 million tons of sulfur dioxide emissions and over 400 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

As a country boasting abundant renewable resources to be exploited, the plan said that China would build hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 190 million kilowatts by 2010, and wind power projects with installed capacity of 10 million kw.

Under the plan, the installed capacity of bio-energy projects and solar energy projects will be 5.5 million kw and 300,000 kw respectively.

In addition, it targets to make the hydropower equipment and solar water heaters produced in the country gain a competitive edge in the global market.