Press release - October 17, 2005
China is in a position to become the world leader in wind power, according to a Greenpeace report released today. Wind Guandong, a study of wind power potential in the heavily industrialized Guandong province in southern China, says that by 2020 alone, the region could feasibly produce enough energy from wind turbines to meet the equivalent of Hong Kong’s total current electricity supply.
"This report confirms that with political and industry 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," said Robin Oakley, Greenpeace China's Energy spokesperson.
"This would be a gigantic step forward in reducing the threat of
climate change and powering the sustainable growth of the region's
economies."
By 2020 enough wind power could feasibly be installed in
Guangdong to cut carbon emissions by 29 million tonnes. Guangdong,
the richest and most populous province in China, is among the
biggest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) in China and Chinese
scientists claim that the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the
region are among the highest in the world.
"Every player in China is actively devoted to wind energy,"
said Li Junfeng, Director of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry
Association, "including the Big Five Power Companies, some private
companies and some provincial energy investment companies. Even
companies like China Guangdong Nuclear Power, which has been
investing in nuclear power, is paying attention to wind power."
The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior is currently in Hong
Kong leading the Asian Energy Revolution Tour of Hong Kong, The
Philippines and Thailand. The ship will spend the next two days in
the South China Sea measuring and recording wind in the region. To
observe its findings live, log on to:
http://www.greenpeace.org/china/en/asia-clean-energy-revolution-tour/clean-energy/wind-guangdong
Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organisation that uses
non-violent creative confrontation to expose global environmental
problems to force solutions that are essential to a green and
peaceful future.
Other contacts: Robin Oakley, Greenpeace China Climate and Energy Campaigner + 86 139 101 2477Michael Kessler, Greenpeace International Communications + 852 9370 4599
VVPR info: Photos of Guangdong wind farms are available from: John Novis, Greenpeace International Photo Editor +31 6 53 81 91 21 john.novis@int.greenpeace.org