China to become world leader in wind power?

Wind Guangdong, a study of wind power potential in the heavily industrialised Guangdong province in southern China, finds that the region could produce as much energy from wind power as Hong Kong’s total current electricity supply, by 2020.

Li Junfeng, Director of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association said: “Every player in China is actively devoted to wind energy, including the Big Five power companies, some private companies and some provincial energy investment companies. Even companies like China Guangdong Nuclear Power are paying attention to wind power.”

By 2020, enough wind power could potentially be installed in Guangdong to cut carbon emissions by 29 million tonnes. Guangdong is the richest and most heavily populated province in China, and is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide in the country.

Robin Oakley, energy campaigner for Greenpeace who released the report, said: “This report confirms that with political and industrial will, Guangdong’s uptake of clean wind power could become a model for renewable energy development not only in China but for all of Asia.”

Greenpeace’s flagship Rainbow Warrior is currently in Hong Kong leading its Asian Energy Revolution Tour of Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand.