Clean energy, including natural gas and
hydroelectricity, accounts for a bigger proportion of China's
growing energy consumption, according to the National Development
and Reform Commission' annual report.
Figures cited by the report entitled "China's Policies and
Actions for Addressing Climate Change" showed that the country
consumed about 283 million tonnes of non-fossil energy in 2011. This
is 8.1 percent of that year's total energy consumption -- up 3.4
percentage points from 2005.
Last year, the National Energy Administration set a goal to cap
the country's total energy consumption at four billion tonnes of
coal equivalent by 2015, outlining the use of hydropower, wind
power, solar power and biomass energy.
As part of the energy-saving effort, the Chinese government
labelled 108 model counties for the use of green energy. It laid
down development guidelines for electric car charging facilities in
five cities, including Shanghai.
Figures from the report showed that the country set up hydropower
generators with a capacity of 14 million kw last year, raising its
total hydropower capacity to 230 million kw. Generators for another
55 million-kw are being built.
Meanwhile, the capacities for wind and solar power grew by 16
million kw and 2.1 million kw respectively last year.
According to the report, China has also been promoting the
construction of large-capacity clean coal-fired plants, which are
equipped with modern technology to secure more efficiency and less
pollution compared to small traditional furnaces.
Figures from the report show that the country has 40 coal-
burning plants with capacities surpassing one million kw, the most
in the world.
