China Issues First Policies on Payable Utilization of Water Resources in Hunan Province

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--According to new regulations on the utilization of water resources in Hunan Province that went into effect January 1, 2008, water from the rivers will no longer be free for hydropower stations, the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Hunan Province announced at the end of December.

The regulations state that the utilization of the water resources will require an exploiting right, which will be awarded through methods such as bids. The Water Administration Department will be responsible for supervising and regulating the utilization of the resources. Because the utilization of water resources also relates to public safety, flood control, irrigation and resettlement -- especially in regarding to issues in resources and environment -- the regulations could serve to ensure that the resources are used in scientific and more reasonable ways.

China's government greatly encourages hydropower, a renewable, clean energy, for the nation's energy development. In the past, hydropower developers usually were assigned by the government.

The new policies are the first regulation in water-resources management in Hunan and also the first local regulations targeting water resources in China, said Pang Daomu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Hunan.

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