China

China is eyeing an additional 15-20 gigawatts of wind-power generating capacity annually in the next decade. This was revealed by the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, according to reports by sxcoal.com. The country will likely have 40 GW of installed wind power capacity by the end of this year, up 60 per cent from 25 GW at end-2009, the association said in a statement. However, since China's wind-power capacity only accounts for less than 3 per cent of its total power-generating capacity, and wind power production only accounts for around 2 percent of its total electricity output, the association emphasized that the country's wind power sector still has much room for development.  

Inner Mongolia generated a total of 11.50 billion KW of wind power in the first 3 quarters of this year. The generation went up by 101.32 per cent year on year, according to statistics released by the Inner Mongolia government. At the end of September, Inner Mongolia total wind power installed capacity reached 7.78 million kW up by 99.22 per cent year on year, the Interfax China reported. The Inner Mongolia government has plans to increase installed capacity another 2.22 million kW over the coming year. The region potential wind resources exceed 150 million kW, roughly half of China total exploitable onshore wind power. Wind power is now the second largest power generation source in Inner Mongolia after coal fired thermal power.

China has dammed the Brahmaputra River in order to begin construction of a 510-MW Zangmu hydropower project.

Ming Yang will with the provincial government of Hebei  on a series of proposed wind energy projects.

CNNC and AREVA will work on big-size commercial aftertreatment and recycle plant project as well.  A memo of understanding was signed by CNNC general manager  Mr.Sun Qin and AREVA France president Mr.Luoweizhong.

CNNC and Westinghouse Electric has agreed to cooperate in nuclear power technology service. China National Nuclear Corporation General Manager Mr.Sun Qin signed the memo with Westinghouse Electric  president and CEO Mr. Kang Ruishi. Mr.Sun Qin and Mr. Ruishi  had previously met about the construction of Sanmen AP1000 nuclear power project and nuclear fuel production and the technology service management of nuclear power plant operations.

Chinese nuclear power companies have established a strategic alliance for development of the fast reactor industry chain in China. Called the Fast Reator Industrialization Technical Innovation Strategy Alliance, it seeks to keep a foothold on self-innovation, creation of the fast reactor industry chain, promotion of the commercialization offast reator technology, and co-creating the sustainable development nuclear power industry of China. The alliance is led by CNNC and China Institute of Atomic Energy, and includes the China First Heavy Industries, Shanghai Electric, Lantai Group, and the Fujian Sanming Nuclear Power Co.,Ltd. Mr.Wan Gang, the director of CIAE, will serve as the alliance's president, while  and the General Manager of CIAE's Engineering Department,Mr.Zhang Donghui, will undertake the role of the alliance's secretary-general.

China and Russia has formalized their agreement for the construction of units 3 and 4 Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. 

Construction of Unit 2 of Changjiang Nuclear Power plant is now ongoing. When completed, it could combine with Unit 1 to bring the plant's annual generation capacity to 9 Twe,  It will largely relieve the shortage of disposable energy in Hainan province and ensure the stabilization, safety and sustainability of the electric power supply in Hainan province. The unit is jointly funded constructed by China National Nuclear Corporation the and China Huaneng Group Company. Located in Tangxing village, Haiwei Town, Changjiang Lizu autonomous county, Hainan province,  Unit 1 was completed on April 25th, 2010 and plans to combine to the grid at the end of the year of 2014. On the other hand, Unit 2 is scheduled for commercial operation in 2015.

The third ring of the containment vessel shell of CPI Haiyang NPP Unit 1 was successfully put in place. It indicates that all six milestones of NI of Unit 1 this year have been achieved. About 39.6 meters in diameter, about 12 meters in height and nearly 600 tons in weight, the 3rd ring is the 4th assembly in CV. The welding of CV 3rd ring started on July 26 this year and main work was completed on November 20, lasting 118 days.  

Unit 1 of Pingdingshan phase I has been commissioned to cover up for 1000MW void in mid-west China. The 2×1000MW unit recently passed the 168-hour test run. It is a key project of CPI and Henan province in the 11th Five-year Plan, and also the first project nationwide with single unit capacity of 1000MW that was approved to “replace small units with big ones”. The completion and commissioning of Unit 1 is of profound significance for enhancing safety and stability of 500kV grid in Henan Province, improving the hydro-thermal dispatching ability of central China grid, optimizing the asset mix of CPI Henan Branch, and helping CPI realize the Three-step strategic goal.  

China Huaneng Group will acquire a 50 percent stake in Intergen for US$1.2 billion.

Major Chinese power companies are expanding their business in the coal industry.

Goldwind is eyeing an 85 percent stake in Golden Concord Wind Power and a 25 percent stake in Golden Concord Xilinhot. These will be purchased from Golden Concord Wind Equipment Holdings. according to powertechnology.com. In addition, Goldwind intends to acquire a 15 percent stake in Golden Concord Jiangsu from Shanghai Guoneng Investment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Goldwind Investment Holdings. The stake purchases will cost approximately US$29.9 million in total for Goldwind. Upon the completion of the transactions, Goldwind will hold a 100 percent stake in both Golden Concord Jiangsu and Golden Concord Xilinhot. Goldwind expects to obtain advanced technology for the design and production of wind turbine blades and to lower its production costs. Furthermore, Goldwind will inject US$82.4 million into a wholly-owned subsidiary, Jiangsu Goldwind Wind Equipment Manufacturing, for the research of 6MW wind turbine direct drive permanent magnets, an offshore wind turbine test site and engineering work on ocean wind power.

Chinese engineers have developed large reactor systems based on the French model and may be able to export by 2013.

China’s nationwide power generation volume rose 14.9 percent year-on-year to 3.422 billion kilowatt hours in the first 10 months. The growth rate was up 11.7 percentage points year-on-year. According to Capital Vue citing the National Development and Reform Commission website, in the first 10 months, thermal power generation rose 14.4 percent year-on-year, with the rate of growth up 12.6 percentage points from a year ago. Hydropower generation rose 16.2 percent year-on-year, with the rate of growth up 8.1 percentage points year-on-year. Power generation in October rose 5.9 percent year-on-year to 332.9 billion kilowatt hours. The growth rate was down by 11.2 percentage points year-on-year. Thermal power generation fell 0.6 percent while hydropower generation gained 43 percent year-on-year. In the first 10 months, power consumption nationwide totaled 3.485 trillion kilowatt hours, including 84.1 billion kilowatt hours used by primary industries, 2.593 trillion kilowatt hours by secondary industries, 376.8 billion kilowatt hours by tertiary industries and 431.1 billion kilowatt hours by rural and urban households. Power consumption in October totaled 340 billion kilowatt hours.