Energy, Resources & Environment

Taiwan plans massive growth in solar energy

Source: AFP, 04 December 2009

Taiwan aims to boost its use of solar panels by a factor of 200 over the next fifteen years in an effort to increase clean energy. Solar panels across the island currently have a capacity of five megawatts, enough to power 500 buildings, but by 2025 that figure is targeted to rise to 1,000 megawatts. Taiwan's parliament in June passed a major renewable energy bill which is aimed at adding between 6,500 and 10,000 megawatts of installed energy from renewable sources over the next 20 years.

Currently, Taiwan produces only 2,278 megawatts, or 5.8% of installed capacity, from renewable sources, according to the state-run Taiwan Power Co. Under the bill, the government will offer incentives and loosen regulations on renewable energy providers, creating a pricing mechanism for various sources of renewable energy, such as solar or wind.

China - Renewable energy to contribute one-third of China's energy

Source: Business Times, 07 December 2009

China, a coal-dependent nation and the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, said in November that it would cut the amount of carbon dioxide produced for each yuan of national income by 40-45% by 2020, compared to 2005 levels. Depending on economic growth projections, total emissions will still rise.

By 2020, renewable energy should account for 15% of national primary energy consumption, supplying the equivalent of 600 million tons of coal. Cited from a renewable energy blueprint from the National Development and Reform Commission, By 2030, renewable energy's share should rise to 20% of the national energy mix, displacing one billion tons of coal, and by 2050, it would supply one-third of China's energy, displacing two billion tons of coal.

World - Clean energy industry to reach US$2.4 trillion in 2020

Source: Channel News Asia, 11 December 2009

WWF said that the clean energy technology sector will grow into a EUR1.6 trillion (US$2.4 trillion) industry by 2020, becoming the third largest industrial sector after automobiles and electronics. The clean energy industry, which includes wind energy infrastructure, insulation, solar panels and bio-ethanol treatment production, generated EUR630 billion (US$929.7 billion) in revenues in 2007.

According to 2008 data cited by the WWF, Germany, the United States and Japan currently lead clean energy sales. China is ranked fourth in absolute sales, but is expected to take up a rapidly increasing share in coming years. In terms of sales relative to gross domestic product, however, it is Denmark, Brazil and Germany which are leading the scale.

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