Wind Farms in China – Growing Rapidly
"The wind power industry in China
is booming"
With 20% of the world’s population, China now
consumes 10% of the world’s energy. This would
suggest that just to come up to the international
average, China will need to double its energy
consumption. With an economy growing at 9%
per year, China is on track to do just that, and
consequently they are developing every source
of energy they possibly can.
In China, a country that consumes 40 quadrillion
BTU’s of energy per year, less than one percent
comes from wind power. But wind-generated
power, which is growing worldwide at 30% per
year, and which costs 80% less per megawatt
than it did 20 years ago, is an important part of
China’s energy strategy.
“Government guidelines mandate that
150,000 MW of wind power be installed by 2020”
WIND
It’s a clean, profitable, renewable, energy business. Important advances in
turbine technology have made power generated from wind the only form of
renewable energy now truly cost-competitive with fossil-fuels. Winds role in
China’s energy policy mix has recently gained strategic importance –
Government guidelines mandate that 150,000 MW of wind power be installed
by 2020. Electrical generation companies in China commonly face pressure
from the government quota system on renewable energies. This is in accordance
with China’s official mandate that generating capacity from renewable energies
in China must reach 5% of the total generating capacity by 2015. The resulting
quota has been allocated as a specific percentage to each utility provider across
the nation. Wind is fast becoming the alternative of choice for many of these
providers.
DEVELOPMENT OF A WIND FARM
- IDENTIFY LOCATION – On shore or Offshore: Based on historic
weather data and existing usage.
- LEASE THE PROPERTY – leases are based on the assumption that
the location may be used for other compatible purposes.
- CONDUCT WIND ASSESMENT – erect towers with weather
measurement equipment for a scientific study.
- FEASIBILIITY – utilize the data from the assessment to determine
economic viability and scope of project required to achieve target goals.
- APPROVALS – Work with regional and municipal governments to ensure
all requirements pertaining to land or marine usage, environmental issues and
long term planning impact and energy needs are addressed and all necessary
permits acquired.
- DEVELOPMENT – Determination of equipment and suppliers, site
preparations, infrastructure construction, installation of equipment, testing,
power generation to grid and any remediation if required.