Chinese Scientists Call for Emphasis of Tidal Energy UtilizationChinese oceanologists recently called for the utilization on a larger scale of tidal energy, a non-pollutant energy with no need for fuel.Prof. Xu Jianping with the Second Oceanology Institute affiliated to the State Oceanology Bureau said that tidal energy is not suitable for taking a big proportion of the country's energy structure, but as a supplement to regular energy, it should be further tapped. The deficiency of simulative measures and favorable policies has checked investors' enthusiasm for developing this energy, said Xu, calling for equal favorable offers to the development of tidal energy as tapping wind and solar energy. Such measures as tax cuts and subsidies in electricity fees may attract more investors, he said. Despite that China has already had over 40 years of history in utilizing tidal energy, tidal energy stations in China are very small in size. Even the Wenzhou Tidal Energy Station in east China's Zhejiang Province, the largest in Asia, has gained only about one 75th of the installed capacity of the largest in France. Investigations have shown that there are quite a few sites along the coastal areas in China fit for constructing 10,000-KW-class tidal energy stations. It is learnt that in the coming decade or 15 years, super tidal energy stations amounting to a million KW installed capacity will be built in Britain, Canada, Russia and India. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |