China looking to expand renewable energies
China is planning to dramatically increase its use of wind and solar power over the next decade in an attempt to generate 20% from renewable sources.
"We are now formulating a plan for development of renewable energy," Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-chairman of China's national development and reform commission, said in an interview in London published Wednesday. "We can be sure we will exceed the 15%. We will at least reach 18%. Personally I think we could reach the target of having renewables provide 20% of energy consumption. "
China's stated goal is for 15% of its energy consumption in 2020 to come from renewable sources, which Beijing says include large hydropower projects and nuclear plants.
The Guardian reported Zhang as saying that a significant part of China's economic stimulus package would be invested into low-carbon investment, and that accompanying reforms would see increased demand for renewable energy.
"Due to the impact of the global financial crisis, people are all talking about green and sustainable development," Zhang told the paper. "Enterprises and government at all levels are showing more enthusiasm for the development of solar for power generation, and the Chinese government is now considering rolling out more stimulus policies for the development of solar power."
US climate envoy Todd Stern met with top Chinese officials in Beijing this week to press for a commitment to cutting greenhouse emissions under the next treaty on global warming, to be hammered out in Copenhagen in December.
In a meeting on Monday, Vice Premier Li Keqiang reiterated to Stern that developing countries like China should be held to a different standard, according to a statement posted on the Chinese foreign ministry's website.
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