Germany-based Conergy AG, a leading solar energy company in
Europe, is looking to tap China's nascent renewable energy market
as the nation charts out an ambitious plan for clean energy.
Along with its flagship company SunTechnics, also a renewable
energy solutions provider, Conergy launched its China business
office on Monday in Shanghai, which will act as the "focal point"
for its activities to develop the market in China.
The company estimates that by 2015, renewable energy will evolve
into a market of over US$300 billion across the world, with much of
it coming from China as the country needs more energy supplies to
support its breakneck economic growth.
The combination of policies and energy trends point to an
increasing demand for renewable energy solutions and business
potential for Conergy Group in China, said Vedat Guergeli, managing
director of Conergy Asia-Pacific operations.
"The Chinese government is putting strong emphasis on urban
sustainable development," he said.
With a growth rate of more than 30 percent annually, the Asian
market for renewable energy is one of the most promising in the
world, with China being an important part of that growth.
Conventional power generation capacities alone won't be able to
keep pace with the fast economic growth and rising energy demand.
According to the government, electricity generated by renewable
energy will become a significant alternative, contributing over 15
percent by 2020 to the country's supply and 30 percent by 2040.
Large-scale construction projects in the future will be realized
with solar energy and grid-connected photovoltaic installations,
which the company provides.
"Building integrated photovoltaic technology (BIPV), which
integrates the solar module aesthetically into the building's
facade, is particularly well-suited for China's fast-growing cities
that will be showcased during the Beijing Olympics and EXPO 2010,"
Guergeli said.
"We have seen our revenue double each year between 2003 and
2005," said Matthew Thornington, regional head of Conergy's
Asia-Pacific operations. "We expect the 2007 revenue to be over 1
billion euros."
Since last June, the company has been rapidly expanding across
Asia-Pacific and now has offices in Singapore, South Korea, India,
Australia, Thailand and Malaysia.
(China Daily May 23, 2007)