Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN RURAL CHINA
Huang Liming and Ekko C. van Ierland
1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter analyzes the trend of renewable energy in rural China. It
provides projections of renewable energy for the year 2020, based on a
straightforward application of income elasticity analysis. We find that with
the rapid development of China's rural economy and requirement for
protection of the environment, the scope for renewable energy will increase
significantly. The chapter concludes by discussing a number of problems
for further development of sustainable energy in rural China and suggests
international cooperation to solve some of these problems.
The development of sustainable energy in the rural areas of China
is fundamental to its rural economy, and the improvement of people's
living standards. Over 860 million people are living in rural China, of
whom 72 million have no electricity (International Statistical Yearbook
1998; Battelle Memorial Institute 1998; China Government 2000a). There
are 70 million people living in poverty (China Government 2000a). It is of
great significance to develop and apply renewable energy in line with the
local conditions. On the one hand, it can provide electricity for the remote
northwest areas and coastal islands that are at present without or short of
electricity. On the other hand, it can help these areas to shake off poverty.
Although rural China has abundant energy resources and has achieved
remarkable progress in the development of renewable energy, its existing
energy structure is still based on non-renewable fossil energy. This
inevitably leads to the continuing depletion of energy resources and
emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.
This chapter analyzes the present situation and future development
of sustainable energy in rural China. The current trend of rural energy
consumption and a number of problems for further development of
sustainable energy in rural China are discussed. Furthermore, this chapter
shows that international cooperation may contribute to a solution for this
problem.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search