China Invests in Green Energy

China has increased its investment in developing clean energy, especially wind power, as a concrete move to meet its promise to cut carbon emissions. Zhang Cheng takes a closer look.

Zhangbei County is a three-hour drive north of Beijing. It has witnessed a surge in the number of wind turbines on its grasslands. The number has increased to nearly 200 from only a few dozen in recent months.

The state-owned China Energy Conservation Investment Corp. is among the dozens of companies rushing to meet government plans to increase the production of green power.

Deng Hui, the company's general manager, says that developing new energy is crucial for China's growth.

"If China can use scientific technology to develop green energy in a good way, then it will make China's economic situation even stronger and reduce the damage to the environment."

In 2005, the Chinese government called for at least 15 percent of China's power to come from wind, solar and hydropower by 2020. Officials say that the target might be increased to 20 percent.

In July, the government raised its wind power goal to 150 gigawatts of generating capacity by 2020, up from the target of 30 gigawatts in the 2005 plan.

But officials say China still faces huge challenges in terms of going green.

Zhang Guobao, head of China's National Energy Administration, says that coal still plays a major role in China's energy consumption.

"It's a fact that China depends a lot on coal resources in its energy structure, and for a very long time to come, this structure with coal resources as the main source of energy will not be able to change."

It is estimated that roughly 80 percent of the country's energy is supplied by cheap, polluting coal.

Analysts say China's rapidly expanding economy has benefited greatly from cheap power over the past 30 years. But they point out that now is the time for China to invest more in developing renewable energies.

Yang Ailun is the Energy and Climate Change Campaign Manager at Greenpeace China.

"However, we also recognize China is a developing country, and it needs more energy resources. What China should do right now is improve energy efficiency and renewable energies, because these two are the solutions to China's energy problems."

China has announced it will cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020, compared with the level in 2005. This ambitious target shows the government's determination to pursue green development.

Yet analysts say the government, business sectors and individuals will have to take concrete follow-up steps.

Zhang Cheng ,CRI News.