China turns a new leaf over to a greener future

“Green” sources such as water, wind, and solar power should also account for ten percent of power generation by 2010. China is one of the largest producers of solar cells, and has undertaken one of the largest hydro power projects in the world; The Three Gorges Dam.  With a sheer endless thirst for energy in recent years demand has been met with cheaper coal power plants. These plants have several advantages in that they can be built quickly most anywhere and in great numbers.

China has thereby joined a whole host of nations who are setting ambitious targets for the future. With Europe at the forefront of this movement, it remains to be seen who will be the first if any to meet or exceed targets. China would also consider looking at a follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012.
Xie Zhenua the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission remains adamant that targets for energy saving and emission reduction targets for the 2006 to 2010 period will indeed be met.

Recently there have been reports that rapid economic growth has all but been nullified by the environmental damage which it causes. The government therefore is looking to reduce the discharge of sulfur dioxide and chemical oxygen demand by ten percent during 2006-2010 period in addition to closing small power generating units of 10 million kW and eliminating outmoded production capacity of 30 million tons of iron and 35 million tons of steel.