China - Wind power project planned in Qingdao

China is to construct Asia's largest wind turbines in Qingdao, in east China's Shandong Province, in collaboration with Germany. According to the plan, five wind turbines with a capability of five megawatts each will be installed in the sea off shore from Qingdao. China Daily reports they will generate power for maritime events at the 2008 Olympic Games scheduled to be held there. An exhibition centre will also be set up nearby to provide information on environmental protection.

The news was released from the just concluded Second Sino-German Forum on the Environment that opened Thursday in Qingdao. The forum attracted representatives from business and environmental protection circles in the two countries. It highlighted issues around sustainable development and a recycling economy, Zhu Guangyao, vice-minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, was quoted as saying. To protect the environment and achieve sustainable economic development, the Chinese government has promoted the use of wind, nuclear and solar power, as well as marsh gas in rural areas. China is aiming to increase renewable energy's role in the country's total energy supply from seven to fifteen percent by 2020.