The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Sunday inaugurated a major solar technology project in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

 

The UNIDO International Center for the Promotion and Transfer of Solar Energy Technology aims primarily to promote the exchange of solar technology and enhance international cooperation among developing countries in this field, via a platform of information exchange and training, said UNIDO Director-General Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella.

 

At the inauguration ceremony, Yumkella praised China's efforts and achievements in solar energy research and application.

 

He said that the solar project under construction in Lanzhou "will make a valuable contribution" to the international development of solar energy, and "enhance technology transfer between China and developing countries, thus contributing to increased cooperation among developing countries, a priority of both the Chinese government and UNIDO".

 

Gansu Province, with abundant solar resources, is leading the research, development and application of solar energy technology in China.

 

Xu Shousheng, vice governor of Gansu, said that the province will spare no efforts to support the UNIDO solar project and push forward the global application of solar energy, especially in developing countries.

 

According to the agreement between UNIDO and the Chinese government entered into last December, China will invest 150 million yuan (US$18.5 million) in the project.

 

The solar technology center will be established under the auspices of the Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute (also known as the Asia-Pacific Solar Energy Research and Training Center), a world-renowned solar energy research institute and China's first.

 

The center will begin operations in two years.

 

Under the Renewable Energy Law passed by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, in February 2005, the country regards renewable energy, including solar energy, as a critical part of its energy strategy.

 

Renewable energy will account for over 10 percent of China's total volume of primary energy consumption by 2020, with solar energy consumption second only to hydroelectricity.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2006)