Guangzhou, the capital city of south China's Guangdong Province, is to invest 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) in new and renewable energy sources over the next 12 years, according to a recently published energy development program.
The city's new energy development program, the first of its kind in China, focuses on the development of solar, wind and nuclear power.
Guangzhou's economic trade commission predicts new energy will supply 15 percent of the city's energy needs by 2020, with total output of over 400 billion yuan (US$58.5 billion).
Targets set for the year 2020 include:
- Capacity to produce 800,000 energy-saving and new energy vehicles annually, with an output value of 240 billion yuan (US$35 billion);
- New buildings will meet a target of 50 percent energy savings. Renewable energy technology will be mandatory for buildings of less than 12 floors. Over 40 percent of new buildings will be equipped with solar heating systems;
- 92 percent of urban household garbage will be disposed of without causing pollution of the environment; and
- Methane and solar energy projects will be widely implemented in rural areas.
The plan also calls for the widespread use of new energy vehicles in the city's public transport system.
Local enterprises involved in the promotion and development of new and renewable energy sources will benefit from preferential policies, according to the program.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing August 13, 2009)
