China plans to push use of non-fossil fuels by 2015

Zhang Guobao, China’s former energy minister, said that China will be aggressively pushing the use and development of non-fossil fuels. By 2015, China aims to cap coal consumption to 4 billion tons, as per China’s 12th five-year plan. Currently, China uses 3.25 billion tons of coal, which is up 5.9% over the previous year. Zhang said that coal currently makes up 70% of China’s total energy consumption, which is slightly higher than the world average. Zhang said China will greatly pursue non-fossil fuel use over the next five years, aiming to boost it to 11.4% of total energy use mix by 2015 and 20% by 2020. The government policy now favors wind power, solar power and biofuel development, while it actively develops hydro power, with environmental safeguards and promote nuclear power, Zhang said. (March 11, 2011)