China will erect Asia's largest wind turbines in Qingdao, East
China's Shandong Province, in collaboration with Germany.
According to the plan, five wind turbines each with a capability
of five mega-watts will be installed in the sea offshore from
Qingdao. They will serve as power generating units for the maritime
events of the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Qingdao.
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Tourists will be able to go up elevators within the turbines in
order to get views of the surrounding area. An exhibition center
will also be set up nearby providing information on environmental
protection.
As one of the six projects to be signed at the three-day second
Sino-German Forum on the Environment that began yesterday in
Qingdao, the project is expected to receive a 50 million euro
(US$61 million) investment from Germany. The six projects will cost
nearly US$121 million.
The forum, which is focusing on cooperation to develop
sustainable energy and a circular economy, attracted
representatives from economic and environmental protection circles
of the two countries.
"The forum will highlight issues surrounding sustainable
development and a circular economy, since they are a top priority
for China" said Zhu Guangyao, vice minister of the State
Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).
"Germany is well-known for its advanced technology and rich
management experience in the fields of renewable energy and a
circular economy," Zhu said. "Cooperation between the two countries
looks to have a rosy future."
"A strong environmental policy could help to support further
economic developments," said Matthias Machnig, State Secretary of
Germany and Federal Minister of the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
(China Daily January 13, 2006)
