WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

China holds the potential of becoming one of the biggest markets for the wind power industry. Realising this promise is now one of the most important challenges for policy makers as well as international and domestic industry alike. “Wind Power Shanghai 2007 conference and exhibition” being held in Shanghai from November 1-3, 2007, comes at an opportune time. The event, jointly organized by Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association, the Chinese Wind Energy Association, the Global Wind Energy Council and Shanghai International Exhibition Co. Ltd., is said to be the most important event in China’s wind power industry this year.
The exhibition space covers 9,000 square meters, with 110 exhibitors from 18 countries participating.  The number of visitors is expected to reach 10,000.  The exhibitors include most of the world’s wind turbine manufacturers, such as Vestas, Suzlon, General Electric, Nordex, Acciona, and Airtricity, along with well-known wind power enterprises in China, including, Xinjiang Goldwind, Shanghai Electric and Zhejiang Windey.  Meanwhile, British companies will showcase their technology, services and products at U.K. Pavilion.  Participation of many domestic and foreign components manufacturers will help comprehensively embody the wind power industrial chain.
The conference promises to valuable, as many high-level speakers from industry and government are expected to attend. It will cover topics such as; policies, experience, technologies, developing wind power markets, wind measurement and investment and financing in connection with the development of wind power at home and abroad. Confirmed speakers who promise to share their knowledge and expertise with others include the President of Vestas South Asia, the President of the Chinese Wind Energy Association, a Minister Counsel of the Delegation of European Commission in China and the CEO of Airtricity. Many key officials from state-level Energy and Environment departments of China and abroad, representatives of the United Nations Environment Program, Global Wind Energy Council, European Wind Energy Association, American Council of Renewable Energy, World Bank and other international organizations are also expected to attend. 

Now, due to the threat of global climate change, air pollution in our cities, and a new and more compelling concern about energy security, renewable energy in particular wind energy has re-emerged as a booming industry.

Given China’s tremendous wind resources and its growing need for electricity, the country could easily become a global leader of wind power generation. This would, at the same time, create a new domestic industry which could eventually lead to global Chinese turbine manufacturers and service provision. Growing wind energy in China thus makes economic as well as environmental sense.

China has one billion kilowatts of exploitable wind energy resources (250 million kilowatts on land and 750 million kilowatts at sea).  China’s Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for Renewable Energy Resources indicates the total installed capacity of wind power will reach five million kilowatts by 2010 and 30 million kilowatts by 2020.  However, the industry believes that the potential of the Chinese market is much bigger, and it could soon become one of the biggest markets for the wind power industry.

The best wind and land resources are in Northern China. The coast line has good offshore potential, and numerous small and large scale opportunities. This will create local economic activity, stimulate Chinese manufacturing and supply a significant amount of electricity to the economy.

The total wind resource in the Shandong Province is estimated to be 67 million kilowatts, ranking third in China.  According to the Shandong Province wind power development program the total installed capacity is set to increase to one million kilowatts by 2010.  Jiangsu is expected to rank amongst the biggest wind power provinces with an annual output of one million kilowatts.  Zhejiang Province, which has the longest coastal line in China, has high wind power potential along its coastline.  The Fujian province started to harness its wind power potential early and wind energy deployment has accelerated in recent years.  Construction of the six big wind farms in Liuao in Zhangpu County, Aojiao in Dongshan County, Chongwu in Huian County, Jiangtian in Changle County, Gulei in Zhangpu County and Meiling in Shaoan County will increase Fujian’s installed capacity by more than 600,000 kilowatts.

Shanghai is rich in wind resource and is an excellent place to organize such and event. The broad sea area is ideal for building offshore wind farms.  The first offshore wind farm is being built by East Sea Bridge in Shanghai with a total installed capacity of a 100,000 kilowatts, which will pave the way for a new era of offshore wind power development in China.