Shanghai: A number of developments in China indicate that, after years of coordination and cooperation between the government and domestic offshore wind power players, the first batch of offshore wind power license projects, most of which have been idle for more than two years, are likely to go online in 2013. Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, as well as Shanghai have completed their planning for offshore wind power development; other states have plans in finalization. Primary statistics confirm potential wind resources along China’s coasts and waterways capable of producing 43 GW in output. Preparations for 38 projects with designed combined capacity of 16.5 million kW in output are already under way.
According to China’s 12th Five-Year Renewable Energy Development Plan spanning 2011 to 2015, China’s installed wind power capacity connected to the grid is on track to reach 100 GW by 2015, including installed offshore wind power capacity of 5 GW, while annual electricity generation is projected to exceed 190 billion kWh, resulting in a complete and internationally competitive industry chain for wind turbine manufacturing. By 2020, the country’s combined installed grid-connected wind power capacity is expected to reach 200 million kW, including installed offshore wind power capacity of 30 million kW, while annual electricity generation is forecasted to surpass 390 billion kWh, making wind power a vital part of the grid in China.
A number China’s coastal provinces are either in the process of obtaining regulatory approval or have already initiated offshore wind power projects:
• In Shanghai, Donghai Bridge Project Phase II and Lingang Project Phases I and II with a combined capacity of 400.
• In Hebei province Hebei Construction & Investment Group and GD Power Development Company will commence construction of respective 500 MW projects.
• In Guangdong province, China Southern Power Grid has received the green light for its project in Zhuhai, while Guangdong Yudean Group has been granted the approval for its project in Zhanjiang. Combined capacity of both projects is 400 MW.
• China Longyuan Power Group is planning a project with 400 MW capacity in Fujian province, with approval already in hand for the 50 MW-capacity first phase.
• Fujian Investment and Development Group has received the OK for its 50 MW offshore project in Pinghai Bay, Putian.
• GD Power Development, China Guangdong Nuclear Power, China Three Gorges Corporation and Power Construction Corporation of China are planning projects in Zhejiang province, with combined capacity somewhere between 800 MW to one GW.
— Source: PRNewswire, February 27