The China Classification Society (CCS) is working to establish China’s first certification system for wind turbine generators in order to help the country’s wind industry produce equipment that conforms to related international technical standards.
China has the potential for 253 000 MW of wind generation capacity. Most of this is located in the eastern coastal regions and in western China’s Gansu Province, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The president of the CCS, a non-official body, said that the government will subsidise wind turbine operators with tax rebates until the industry can realise profits. Wind power is still more expensive than traditional sources but its environmental credentials have encouraged the government to accelerate its development.
Statistics from the society predict that China will have 1500MW – 3500MW of wind power by the end of 2005. By the end of the first decade of the century the capacity is expected to rise to 5000MW.
There are currently 20 enterprises in China engaged in manufacturing wind energy systems. Seven of these are joint ventures. However the products from these companies are still not of a suitable standard to appeal to the international market.
With some European countries and the USA establishing industry standards, China now sees the need for a formal certification system, expected to be ready for the end of 2001.