China needs to cut coal reliance, says official

Recent power and coal shortages should serve as a wake-up call for China to increase nuclear and wind power generation, and reduce reliance on coal, Reuters reported a leading energy official as telling state media.
English

If China continues to boost coal production, Zhang Guobao, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, wrote in the People’s Daily, the country will face resource, environment and transport restrictions.

China has far larger wind power resources than Germany, added Zhang, and could develop wind farms on a larger scale.

Eighty four percent of China’s power output came from coal-fired plants in 2007.

See full story