Wind power now seems to be the best choice for many countries in an effort to switch to renewable energy sourcesRenewable energy harnesses energy that is available to us infinitely, from sources like wind or lunar energy.. Wind powerWind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. By 2010, a single wind turbine can produce several MW of electric power. is attractive in both economic as well as environmental regards. It delivers not only economic development benefits, but it’s also a safe source for the China’s (and the rest of the world’s) growing appetite for energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy.. Especially in China, where coal is still a prime source, and some recent fatal accidents at mining facilities makes security a more important parameter. The Chinese Government has identified the development of windWind occurs due to different temperature levels in the atmosphere (troposphere) which are heated up by the sun. A typical example are the trade winds at the equator where the sun is most powerful.. powerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan. as one of the key economic growthIdeally, economic growth is decoupled from energy consumption. This can be achieved through different measures, one of them being energy efficiency or a shift towards less energy intensive sectors, such as services. areas, especilly in times of financial crisis.

China’s targets set in the NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) Energy Plan (2007) regarding wind capacity could be reached well ahead of its time in 2011 (instead of 2020), and looks likely to surpass even the country’s nuclear power target. The target was set to be 30 000 MW.

The biggest Chinese wind power farm is currently under construction in the north-western province of Gansu, to supply for the city of Jiuquan. Feng Jianshen, Vice Governor of Gansu province, assured that the government supported the NDRC project. It will have an installed capacity of 20 000 MW by 2020, and requires an investment of about 18 billion US $. Wind power stationA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... have the shortest amortization time compared to other renewable systems, and that goes also for their energetic amortization . In addition, Mr Feng hoped to strengthen investment in Gansu and regarded it a positive step towards more development.

Steve Saywer, Secretary General of GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council), says China has doubled its capacity for the fourth year in a row (totaling to 12 GW). That makes China, and the USA, the leading markets in terms of new capacity installed.

All this goes in accordance with the Chinese principals of NDRC, where it has been agreed that the need for adaption is more real and urgent to developing countries. Developed countries have agreed to show a commitment to provide financing, technical transfer and capacity building support to developing countries to adapt to climate changeClimate change is a lasting change in weather patterns over long periods of time. It can be a natural phenomena and and has occurred on Earth even before people inhabited it. Quite different is a current situation that is also referred to as climate change, anthropogenic climate change, or ....

The potential for renewable generation of power in China is still huge, and its development will be hugely beneficial for all parties involved.