Wind power plays larger role in China

CHINA - Since the Electric Power Law was passed in 1996, China has grown rapidly to become the second-largest electricity consumer, after the United States. The law promoted the development of the electrical industry and a vast number of electrical-generation infrastructures, and granted protection of rights to providers, consumers and investors alike.

At the end of 2000, China boasted an installed capacity of 315 gigawatts GW, mostly through the utilization of coal. China has the third-largest coal reserves in the world. By 2007, the country's installed capacity had risen to 713 GW. China anticipates at least 900 GW by the end of this year.

In 2007, thermal power still accounted for most power generation in the country however, renewable energy was beginning to rear its head. Hydroelectricity was becoming a popular form of green energy due to the numerous lakes and rivers in central and southern China, and accounted for about 14. In contrast, less than 0.1 of China's installed capacity in 2007 was provided by wind power. By the end of 2009, installed wind-generated power had risen to about 2.9, or about 25 GW.

Aside from the large wind projects that have been implemented by the government, several smaller wind projects are springing up under public-owned and government-owned companies. Between now and the end of the year, four individual projects are scheduled for construction kick-off, with investments reaching almost $700 million. These four projects will provide an additional 453 MW to local grids.

The largest of these projects, the $450 million Chifeng Luotuotaizi Windfarm, is marked down for construction commencement in October. Beijing Guohong Hua'an Energy Investment Company Limited is preparing to begin the installation of 150 pylons each to be fitted with a 2-megawatt MW capable turbine generator in Zhirui, which is near Chifeng, about 420 kilometers northeast of Beijing in Inner Mongolia. Project completion is set for sometime during the fourth quarter of 2012 when completed, the Chifeng Luotuotaizi Windfarm is expected to provide the local grid with 300 MW of renewable energy.

Related News

winnipeg with electricity

Electrifying Manitoba: How hydro power 'absolutely revolutionized' the province

WINNIPEG - The first electric light in Manitoba was turned on in Winnipeg in 1873, but it was a century ago this year that the switch was flipped on a decision that would bring power to the fingertips of people across the province.

On March 12, 1873, Robert Davis — who owned the Davis House hotel on Main Street, about a block from Portage Avenue — used an electric arc light to illuminate the front of his building, according to A History of Electric Power in Manitoba, published by Manitoba Hydro.

That type of light used an an inert gas in a…

READ MORE
tcs-partners-with-schneider-electric-marathon-de-paris-to-boost-ai-and-technology

TCS Partners with Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris to Boost AI and Technology

READ MORE

wisconsin nuclear power plant

We Energies refiles rate hike request driven by rising nuclear power costs

READ MORE

Sudbury, Ont., eco groups say sustainability is key to grid's future

READ MORE

solar panel on roof of home

High Natural Gas Prices Make This The Time To Build Back Better - With Clean Electricity

READ MORE