China's drive to develop and utilize renewable energy resources is expected to gather steam in the years ahead.

According to a timetable set by the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC), wind power, solar energy, hydropower and other renewable and new energy resources will account for 0.7 percent of the total annual commercial energy used in China by the end of 2005, and 2 percent by 2015.

The country's wind power capacity is expected to reach 1.5 million kilowatts by the end of 2005, with the use of other renewable energy resources, such as solar, biogas and hydropower, projected to reach or exceed the global average.

In addition to develop renewable energy resources, China has deployed a multitude of energy-saving means, which has led to a reduction in consumption equal to 834 million tons of coal over the past 20 years, Zhao Jiarong, an official said.

In the coming five years, China plans to save energy equivalent to at least 300 million tons of coal, according to sources from the State Development Planning Commission.

(People's Daily 11/29/2000)