CHINA’S ENERGY USE GETS MORE INTENSE
China Real Time Report, May 6, 2010
China vowed to use an “iron hand” – and an extra $12 billion – to reach efficiency targets after revealing energy intensity rose 3.2% in the first quarter compared to last year, reversing a steady decline in the amount of energy used to produce each dollar of gross domestic product.
The increase in the amount of power China’s economy is using relative to how much it’s producing is a major setback in the push to cut energy intensity by 20% by the end of 2010 from 2006. Up until last year, China was doing pretty well, lowering the relative use of energy by 14.38%, according to a statement by Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to China Daily, Wen told a nationwide videoconference of government officials Wednesday to use an “iron hand” to shut down inefficient enterprises. The report said the government had also earmarked an extra $12 billion to pay for upgrades and other measures to reach the goals.
It’s also planning to increase the price of natural gas and electricity prices to encourage households to be more frugal with power.
The government also pledged to shut down hundreds of smaller coal-fired power plants, substandard steel mills and iron smelters, cement plants, aluminum makers, sheet glass factories and paper mills.
This year’s sudden surge in energy use – and with it pollution and greenhouse gases – underscores the costs of China’s reliance on infrastructure, housing and heavy industry to drive its economy.
China Real Time Report, May 6, 2010
China vowed to use an “iron hand” – and an extra $12 billion – to reach efficiency targets after revealing energy intensity rose 3.2% in the first quarter compared to last year, reversing a steady decline in the amount of energy used to produce each dollar of gross domestic product.
The increase in the amount of power China’s economy is using relative to how much it’s producing is a major setback in the push to cut energy intensity by 20% by the end of 2010 from 2006. Up until last year, China was doing pretty well, lowering the relative use of energy by 14.38%, according to a statement by Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to China Daily, Wen told a nationwide videoconference of government officials Wednesday to use an “iron hand” to shut down inefficient enterprises. The report said the government had also earmarked an extra $12 billion to pay for upgrades and other measures to reach the goals.
It’s also planning to increase the price of natural gas and electricity prices to encourage households to be more frugal with power.
The government also pledged to shut down hundreds of smaller coal-fired power plants, substandard steel mills and iron smelters, cement plants, aluminum makers, sheet glass factories and paper mills.
This year’s sudden surge in energy use – and with it pollution and greenhouse gases – underscores the costs of China’s reliance on infrastructure, housing and heavy industry to drive its economy.
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