科学发展替代能源产业

China's new energy sector has witnessed significant developments over the past few years as part of the government's overall efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Zhang Guobao, China's former head of the National Energy Administration, and a member of CPPCC, recognizes the robust performance seen in the alternative energy industry at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of China's top advisory body, using solar power as an example.

"China is the biggest producer of solar power products in the world. Exports account for half of the solar power products in the world. Up to 90% of China's solar power products are exported to foreigner markets."

However, solar power has not really taken off in the domestic market, and Zhang attributed the reason mainly to the generating capacity. He said the capacity for solar power totaled only 2.2 million kilowatts, compared to the 450 million kilowatts needed to generate electricity nationwide. Another reason is the price.

"First it is because of the price, which is much higher than other alternative energy options. It is currently set at 1.15 yuan per kilowatt-hour, while some other new energies are much cheaper, for example wind power, which is only 0.57 yuan. This means the government needs to provide more subsidies. A lack of supportive policies is another reason. All the problems left to be solved can be answered by policy-making."

China's eastern coastal areas, particularly Jiangsu Province, boast sound conditions to develop wind farms on beaches and offshore areas. These coastal provinces are largely the economic engines of the country, causing great demand for electricity.

Even though wind power is easily developed and China is rapidly becoming the biggest producer of wind power worldwide, Zhang says that competition in the wind power sector is raging causing equipment factories and equipment to go for very low prices, which is playing havoc with profit margins.

Shao Bingren, former vice chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, echoes Zhang's opinion and calls for developing the alternative energy sector scientifically, getting rid of blind promotion.

"During the process of developing alternative energies, we should maintain scientific and orderly production. First, the alternative energy plan must be combined with the layout and structure of the entire industry. Second, developing alternative energy should be connected to traditional energy resources."

China aims to increase consumption of renewable energy to 15 percent by 2020. Shao says, in the years ahead, alternative energy won't play a prominent role because of technological bottlenecks and high costs. So, energy-efficiency and emission reductions in the traditional energy industry should be the priority, according to Shao.

He also emphasizes promoting reform in the power industry, revising policies and technological innovation.

For CRI, I'm Wei Tong.