China to Actively Tap New Energy Sources in 21st Century

China is working out a plan to actively develop various new and renewable energy sources in the 21st century, focusing on water, solar, wind, geothermal and tidal resources, in a bid to make up for the declining production of traditional energy sources.

According to Hu Chengchun, deputy director in charge of the energy development committee under the China Energy Research Society (CERS), China is very rich in new and renewable energy sources. He cited statistics showing that China has recoverable wind energy sources of 254 million kw, geothermal sources of 3.5 million kw, and tidal energy sources of more than 20 million kw.

Addressing the ongoing seminar on China's energy development strategy for the 21st century, the senior energy expert said that China's vast rural areas have nearly 300 million tons of biological materials for developing methane gas.

To date, China's annual utilization rate of new and renewable energy has reached 300 million tons of standard coal.

In addition, over 200,000 units of household mini and small wind generators have been applied in mountainous and remote pastoral areas and on islands. China also has imported medium and large wind generators from Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States to equip over 20 wind power plants.

The expert said that more than 50,000 small hydropower stations have been set up nationwide with a total installed capacity of 22 million kw.

At the same time, about 75 percent of all rural households in China have installed coal-saving stoves, with annual bio-gas production topping 1.5 billion cubic meters.

China is also rich in tidal energy, 90 percent of which located in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. So far, a dozen tidal power stations have been established nationwide.

Experts attending the seminar said that proper exploitation of various new and renewable energy sources will help improve the country's energy consumption structure, and boost the harmonious and sustainable development of energy, the environment, and the national economy.



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