Construction starts on wind power plant
China has started construction of its largest wind power plant in Dongtai, Jiangsu Province, as part of its plan to quadruple use of the renewable energy by 2010.
China?has started construction of its largest wind power plant in Dongtai, Jiangsu Province, as part of its plan to quadruple use of the renewable energy by 2010.
Guohua Energy Investment Corp, a wholly owned unit of Shenhua Group Co, the country's largest coal producer, will build the 200 megawatt plant - enough electricity for 400,000 homes according to Chinese media reports. Total investment was budgeted at 1.7 billion yuan (US$213 million).
The first 50 megawatt plant will be completed in the first half of next year.
The company plans to eventually expand the capacity in Dongtai to 1,000 megawatts in the next 10 to 15 years, said a weekend statement. The statement was posted on the Website of the Office of the National Energy Leading Group under the National Development and Reform Commission.
China is encouraging the use renewable energies such as hydro and wind power to reduce its reliance on oil, which is expensive, and coal, which is a major source of pollution.
The country wants to increase wind power capacity to 5,000 megawatts by 2010 from the current 1,260 megawatts, according to the China Electricity Council.
"Unlike Europe, where wind power is restrained by geographic factors, China has excellent potential in terms of resources," said France-based IXIS Securities analysts Philippe Ourpatian and Celine Cherubin in their presentation material for a forum organized by TX Investment Consulting Co late last month.
Early last month, the Chinese and Danish governments agreed to cooperate in the wind power sector. Under the accord, Denmark will provide wind generating technology and expertise worth 45 million kroner (US$7.72 million) over the next three years to China.
Wind contributes more than 20 percent of total power generation in Denmark.
Guohua Energy Investment Corp, a wholly owned unit of Shenhua Group Co, the country's largest coal producer, will build the 200 megawatt plant - enough electricity for 400,000 homes according to Chinese media reports. Total investment was budgeted at 1.7 billion yuan (US$213 million).
The first 50 megawatt plant will be completed in the first half of next year.
The company plans to eventually expand the capacity in Dongtai to 1,000 megawatts in the next 10 to 15 years, said a weekend statement. The statement was posted on the Website of the Office of the National Energy Leading Group under the National Development and Reform Commission.
China is encouraging the use renewable energies such as hydro and wind power to reduce its reliance on oil, which is expensive, and coal, which is a major source of pollution.
The country wants to increase wind power capacity to 5,000 megawatts by 2010 from the current 1,260 megawatts, according to the China Electricity Council.
"Unlike Europe, where wind power is restrained by geographic factors, China has excellent potential in terms of resources," said France-based IXIS Securities analysts Philippe Ourpatian and Celine Cherubin in their presentation material for a forum organized by TX Investment Consulting Co late last month.
Early last month, the Chinese and Danish governments agreed to cooperate in the wind power sector. Under the accord, Denmark will provide wind generating technology and expertise worth 45 million kroner (US$7.72 million) over the next three years to China.
Wind contributes more than 20 percent of total power generation in Denmark.
