China

Optimism is based on higher hydropower output.

Around 86,000 premises in China have so far been connected using smart grid.

Total installations in 2012 were over one-third of all new capacity worldwide.

China will start exploring the global market to export it CAP1400 this year.

Before 2008, encapsulant suppliers from Germany, the U.S., and Japan, such as STR Solar, Mitsui Chemicals, Bridgestone, and Solutia (Etimex), were the dominant companies producing EVA film – taking 60% of the global market share. However, Chinese encapsulant suppliers have steadily increased their market share with players like Hangzhou First PV Material, exceeding Bridgestone and Solutia, to become one of the top three suppliers in 2008.

Beijing launched its first quota trading platform for electrical power saved during production.

China installed 15.9 gigawatts of onshore turbines in 2012.

White paper urges mult-pollution controls in coal-burning power plants.

It already uses more coal than the rest of the world combined.

China has increased its solar energy target from 21GW by 2015 to 35GW.

China's largest offwhore wind farm project in coastal Jiangsu province will start commercial operations.

Electricity industry has witnessed certain trends during the last decade which can potentially bring significant changes in the industry structure and the relationship between consumers and their utilities. One of these trends is the rising share of intermittent sources of energy, such as wind and photovoltaics, in the overall energy generation portfolio. Another is the ever rising level of consumer dependency on electricity which makes it a basic core necessity and absence of which can cause severe economic and health damages. This was evident during the recent super storm Sandy which effected large densely populated areas on the northeast shores of the United States.

Chinese cities are experiencing their own version of the London fog of Victorian Britain. Smog in Beijing was at a record high this month, causing factories to be closed until the levels dissipated.

China's first nuclear power reactor using US-based Westinghouse Electric AP 1000 technology is expected to begin operations in October 2014, the manager of a Chinese nuclear power company said today.

More than 300 executives are expected to pour in.

Intends to increase solar power installations by 67% in 2015.