China to start building 2nd batch wind energy projects

China’s newly-added installed wind turbines capacity is likely to exceed 20 GW in 2011, showing higher growth compared to that in 2010, according to Qin Haiyan, secretary-general of the China Wind Energy Association (CWEA).

Although representing a large increase in installed wind turbines capacity, China’s wind power generators failed to meet last year’s target due to infrastructure issues that prevent most of the electricity generated via wind turbines from reaching the country’s power grid, according to Shi Lishan, deputy director of the NEB’s new and renewable energy department.

It is estimated that China likely generated 70 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind power in 2011, up 40 percent compared to the 50.1 billion kWh generated in 2010.

The increase represents a slowdown in growth compared to the 81.41 percent year-on-year increase seen in 2010, Shi noted.

The NEB is considering expanding its power grid network to provide greater access to wind power, as well as developing large-scale energy storage facilities, Shi said.

The NEB is also considering a compensation mechanism for power networks that use a great deal of wind power.

For offshore wind power, the NEB is considering establishing benchmark feed-in prices for wind power-generated electricity.

By 2015, China will have approximately 100 million kW of installed wind power capacity connected to its power grid and generate 190 billion kWh of electric power annually, according to the NEB’s renewable energy development plan.

www.chinadaily.com.cn