The transfer of renewable technology could be done in accordance with commercial principles, but there should not be barriers against it, said a senior Chinese energy official at the opening session of the 2006 Great Wall Renewable Energy Forum and Exhibition that kicked off on October 24 in Beijing.
"Renewable energy technology should be distinguished from military or other cutting-edge technologies. In order to effectively alleviate problems like shortage of resources and deterioration of environment, we must apply the mature technologies of renewable energy in a wider area as soon as possible," said Wu Guihui, deputy director of Energy Bureau, the National Development and Reform Commission.
The three-day event was organized by China Renewable Energy Association, together with the Global Wind Energy Council and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). The 1,000 some government officials, academics and industry players that gathered in Beijing International Convention Center came from more than 50 countries and regions. The participants engage themselves in thorough and insightful discussions over the healthy and speedy exploitation of renewable energies in China and around the world.
In his opening speech, ACORE chairman Michael Eckhart said he was pleased with China's commitment in making the Renewable Energy Law. He said in an upcoming similar event in Washington D.C., he would ask his government if the United States can achieve 25 percent of renewable energy in total energy supply by year 2025 and 50 percent by 2050. Eckhart urged his Chinese audience to ask the same question, because "if the US can not do this, if China can not do this, then the world does not have a sustainable future."
China's Renewable Energy Law came into force on the first day of this year. And according to the State Medium- and Long-Term Program for Renewable Energy Development, the country's renewable energy would account for 16 percent of total energy supply by year 2020.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2006)
