China adds 132 MW of wind power

GE will supply 88 wind turbines to HECIC New Energy for three new projects in Hebei and Shanxi Provinces. The projects will support the rapid growth of wind energy investments in China, which today is the world’s fourth largest producer of wind power.

China's plan to add 150 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity by 2020 would require it to install approximately 11.5 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity per year from 2009-2020.

The new wind farms will add 132 megawatts of installed wind power capacity for China, which currently ranks fourth, behind only the United States, Germany and Spain in wind power production. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, China continued its rapid growth in wind energy in 2008 by doubling its installed capacity to 12.2 gigawatts.

To date General Electric has committed to supply 895 units of 1.5-MW wind turbines to China, in support of the country’s aggressive renewable energy program. China is aiming to increase power generation from renewable sources to 15 percent of the nation’s total by 2020. To achieve this, China will need to strengthen development on solar, wind and biomass energy.

"The development of wind power is a key economic growth area for China and plays a critical role in achieving our national target to increase to 150 gigawatts of installed wind energy capacity by 2020," said Dr. Cao Xin, General Manager of HECIC New Energy Co., Ltd. "As a corporate citizen of China, our strategy is to apply the most advanced and reliable technology and technological expertise for every project that will help China reach its goal of achieving clean energy."

"China is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s largest markets for wind power technology," said Victor Abate, Vice President-Renewables for GE Power & Water. "We are committed to helping our Chinese customers develop the country’s vast potential for clean, wind-generated power, which will enable China to meet both its growing energy and environmental responsibilities."