China plans to triple wind power

China, which is second in the energy consumption ranking, just behind America, China, aims to reach a capacity of 8,000 Megawatts by 2010, from a current target of 5,000.

According to the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission, the country built 1,000 MW last year, increasing its capacity by 80% from 1,300 MW to 2,300 MW. However, it still lags well behind some European countries such as Germany, Spain or Denmark, and also well behind United States. China is, however, one of the world leaders in other renewable energy technologies, such as solar thermal energy, and is expected to take the lead in solar PV technology production soon.

"The government's preferential policies and companies' willingness will enable us to exceed the original target," Mr Li Junfeng, Secretary-General of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, said Bloomberg reporters in Beijing. China is ongoing an ambitious plan to increase its use of renewable energy technology while decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels, despite having signed some deals with Asian countries to ensure supplies and having one of the world's largest coal reserves.