Huaneng Aiming for Clean Energy Accounting for 25% of Total Power Installed by 2015

To understand the key elements of China renewable energy policy, look at the provincial governments and lower. Also keep an eye on the big utility companies, the Huaneng Group being near the top of the list.

According to a company official on 12 April, Huaneng Group aims to add more clean energy capacity over the next five years and will boost the share of clean energy in its total power installed capacity to 25 percent in 2015.

That target is 10 percentage points higher than the 2010 level, said the company's chief economist Wu Dawei, speaking at a forum in Beijing.

By 2015, China's non-fossil fuel installed capacity should account for 33 percent of total power installed capacity, added Wu.

Beijing has set a target to have non-fossil fuels account for 15 percent of the country's primary energy consumption by 2020 and the country's five major state-owned power companies are stepping up efforts to meet the goal.

China's power demand is expected to grow at an average yearly rate of 8.5 percent in the 2011-2015 period, said Wu, a drop from the 11.1 percent yearly growth in 2006-2010.

In 2010, Huaneng Group earned a profit before tax of nearly 7.0 billion yuan ($1.07 billion), mostly from its hydro power, wind power and coal businesses.

Utah Delegation to China Promoting Renewable Ties

The most significant renewable energy policy activity in China happens at the provincial level and below. That's why I also am interested when I see a US state creating contacts with a Chinese city or province. This week Utah GOV Gary Herbert will be leading a trade delegation to Beijing and Shanghai. CanadianBusiness is reporting that the mission is to promote tourism to the state and "increase interest in renewable energy technologies developed in Utah."

The governor's group includes eight members of Herbert's administration, four legislators and about two dozen executives from Utah-based companies such as Usana, NuSkin and Zions Bank.

I remember hearing rumors that Utah almost got the Suntech manufacturing plant that ended up in Arizona. At the time, GOV Huntsman was using his Mandarin and Chinese connections to try to broker a deal. GOV Brewer, her staff, and Phoenix business organizations ultimately won over Suntech but I always keep an eye on Utah as a potential player in the growing US-China cleantech business connection.

Australia CBD Energy Strengthens China Renewable Energy Connections

Australian CBD Energy CBD Energy (ASX:CBD) is taking another step in strengthening China renewable energy ties. On 18 April, it will sign final joint venture documents in Sydney with Baoding Tianwei Baobian (SHA:600550) and China Datang Renewable Power (HKG:1798), two of China's largest renewable companies. The joint venture will develop A$6 billion renewable energy projects over eight years.

Back in 24 Nov 2010, CBD Energy signed a MOU with China's Tianwei Group to establish a solar equipment manufacturing business in Australia. The new joint venture company the two will establish is expected an annual production of 50 MW of modules.

Phase 2 of Xinjiang Polysilicon facility Ground Breaking

Much of my background has been studying Xinjiang so I lpay particularly close attention to the pronvince's emerging solar industry and PV manufacturing.

Daqo New Energy last week officially broke ground on its phase 2 polysilicon facility in Shihezi, Xinjiang. The ground breaking ceremony was hosted by Mr. Xu Guangfu, Chairman of the board. Local government officials attended the ceremony at site. The ceremony was also joined by other board members and management from the company.

The initial capacity for the phase 2 polysilicon project will be for 3,000 metric ton (MT) polysilicon and the commercial production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.