China Shuts Down 10,000 Megawatts of Small Thermal Power Units Ahead of Schedule

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The cooling towers and chimneys of eight small thermal power units of Xinxiang Mengzhuang Power Plant were dismantled with explosives on October 26, 2007. Forty-six other small thermal power units in 12 enterprises were dismantled in central China's Henan Province. China's goal to shut down 10,000 megawatts (MW) of small thermal power units with high energy consumption and heavy pollution emissions this year has been achieved two months ahead of schedule.

This concentrated shutdown of small thermal power units involved a total installed capacity of more than 1,100 MW in 13 enterprises in 10 cities. The shutdowns are of the largest scale, involving the largest number of local power plants and private enterprises. The shutdown capacity in one day was equal to all of 2006. Based on a preliminary calculation, the closing of these small thermal power units could save about 14.5 million metric tons of coal and reduce SO2 emissions by 247 metric tons per year and CO2 emissions by 29 million metric tons per year.

Energy conservation and emissions reduction is the focus in China's electric power industry. The State Council of China proposed goal of shutting down 50,000 MW of small thermal power units in the 11th five-year plan (2006-10) and 10,000 MW in 2007 in the beginning of the year. Through the joint efforts of related departments and enterprises in each region, the target in 2007 was achieved ahead of schedule. However, energy conservation and emissions reduction remains a daunting task in China.

Zeng Peiyan, Vice Premier of the State Council, said China needs to work hard and continue to achieve the goal of cutting 50,000 MW of small thermal power units in the 11th five-year plan and to promote the healthy development of China's electric power industry.

On October 28, 2007, an amendment to China's Energy Reservation Law was approved at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th People's Congress. The change will go into effect starting from April 1, 2008, to provide a power tool in solving the increasing contradiction between the current economic development and energy resources and environment in China.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading marketing information services company for the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy-related markets throughout the world. For more than 24 years, IIR has provided accurate and timely intelligence through products such as plant and project information databases, focused market databases, industry forecasting, key industry contacts, industry and territorial map products, direct marketing services and applications, and daily industry news.