WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

China, the world's biggest energy consumer after the U.S., plans to more than treble its wind power generation capacity by 2010. According to officials the total installed capacity could even surpass the governments target.
The Chinese market was boosted as a result of the country’s National Renewable Energy Law, which entered into force on January 1 last year. 1050 megawatts (MW) of new capacity were installed in 2006, up from 498 MW in 2004, which represents an increase of the annual market of more than 100%. The current government target aims to install 5,000 MW of wind power capacity by 2010 and 30,000 MW by 2020.
"The government's preferential policies and companies' willingness to invest will enable China to become one of the biggest markets for the wind power industry. We can expect the total installed capacity to be 8,000 MW by 2010 which would surpass the governments’ target of 5,000 MW" said Li Junfeng, Secretary General of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CRIEA).

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on January 5 also confirmed the increase of 80% in wind power generation capacity in 2006. 62 wind farms located in China’s 15 provinces generated grid-connected wind energy of 1.53 billion KWH last year. The total capacity now stands at 2,307 MW.

“We urge the government to raise its current targets for 2010 and 2020 to provide further impetus to the already booming Chinese market. We believe that the potential could far exceed this target if the policy framework is right. Wind power is a new industry and it still needs support.” said Prof. Arthouros Zervos, Chairman of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

A major wind energy event was announced as China paves the way for making wind an accepted mainstream source for fulfilling its power needs.  Organised by the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association (CREIA), the Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA), the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Shanghai International Exhibition Co Ltd, (SIEC) Wind Power Shanghai 2007 is to be held from Oct 31 to Nov 3, 2007.

The conference will comprise international speakers at the most senior level, including policy makers, manufacturers, operators, investors, academia and high level representatives of the global wind energy industry. The call for abstracts has already been published on the website and the deadline for submission is set to be the 8th of June 2007.

The event will also be complimented by a 10,000 sqm exhibition. The list of exhibitors includes leading wind turbines and component manufacturers, electricity producers, wind farm developers, major wind energy associations as well as the financing and consultancy sectors from around the globe.

This event will enable the audience and interested investors to gain unique insight and understanding of the Chinese wind power market. It will be the only wind power event in China in 2007 to be supported by CREIA, CWEA, GWEC and SIEC.

“The Wind Power Shanghai 2007 conference will play an integral part in opening China’s doors to outside investors as it will be supported by the global wind sector.” said Prof. Zervos.