Hong Kong, 17 October 2005 - China is in a prime 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 industrialised Guandong province in southern China, finds that the region could by 2020 alone, produce as much energy from wind power as Hong Kong's total current electricity supply.
Greenpeace China's Energy campaigner Robin Oakley said: "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."
"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 is the richest and most heavily populated province in China, and is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the country. Chinese scientists claim the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the region are among the highest in the world.
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, which has been investing in nuclear power, are 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.
