Fujian: Alternative Energy Development Attractive Amid

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 GUANGZHOU 000157 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EMB BEIJING FOR DOE USDOE FOR OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY USDOE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS USDOE FOR FOSSIL POLICY AND ENERGY STATE FOR EAP/CM AND EB STATE PASS TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG TRGY ETTC IAEA CH SUBJECT: Fujian: Alternative Energy Development Attractive Amid Global Economic Downturn REF: A) Guangzhou 302 ¶1. (U) Summary: Fujian's alternative energy development is picking up steam in spite of a worsening global economic downturn. While coal will continue to be the primary source of energy in the near future, but major investments are being made in nuclear power (more than USD 20 billion at two plants already under construction),wind power and (to a lesser extent because of the commercial exploitation costs) tidal power. The expansion of Fujian's LNG terminal is also proceeding. End Summary. -------------- Ramping Up Nuclear Power Development -------------- ¶2. (U) Nuclear energy is the answer to Fujian's increasing energy demand, at least according to experts at the Fujian Electric Power Test and Research Institute. Fujian is currently constructing two nuclear power plants in Fuqing and Ningde. Construction of the Fuqing Nuclear Power Station began in November 2008. Fuqing, which was developed under the 11th Five-year plan, is the first project to be implemented following the unveiling of China's economic stimulus plan, and is expected to help boost domestic demand, and stimulate economic growth. The new plant, managed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC),will house six nuclear reactors. Phase I of the project will build 2 - 1,000 megawatt reactors, using China's domestic CPR-1000 technology. It will go online in 2013 and 2014. Total investment in the project is RMB 100 billion (USD 14.7 billion). ¶3. (U) Construction on Phase I of the Ningde Nuclear Power Station (NNPS) began in February 2008. Operated by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC),the plant will consist of six reactors constructed in three phases. With an investment of RMB 51.2 billion (USD 7.5 billion),Phase I of the project (reactors 1-4) is expected to generate 30 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year upon completion. NNPS's first 1000 megawatt CPR-1000 reactors will go online in 2012; the last will go online in 2015. The first-two Phase I generators will have a 75% localization rate (i.e., 75% of design and equipment will be sourced locally),while the last two generators are expected to have a rate of 85%. Zhang Guobao, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice-Minister told the press that the Ningde Power Station would significantly ease the strain on energy supply in the southeastern coastal area, as well as aid environmental protection efforts in the region. ¶4. (U) Fujian plans to extend its nuclear capacity even further, with additional projects in Zhangzhou and Sanming; but these are still in preliminary stages. As the various nuclear projects go online, Fujian hopes to export electricity to Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces. Fujian's plans reflect China's desire to promote independent development of nuclear power and are now benefiting from economic stimulus efforts as well. -------------- Wind Power Development -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Not surprisingly, wind power experts have a different take on Fujian's energy future. Zhang Ronglin, Senior Engineer at the Fujian Electric Power Test and Research Institute told us wind power could be the answer to meet Fujian's current energy demand. According to Wang Yan, Director of the Fujian Climate Studies Center, most of the province's wind power potential is located along the coast or on off-shore islands. Construction of a new wind power project is underway in Zhang Pu, which will include 36 850-kilwatt (kw) turbines in phase one, and another 36 1,250-kw turbines in phase two. According to Jian Yongfeng, Xiamen Development and Reform (DRC) researcher, Xiamen is planning to build three wind power plants: Xiamen Neicuo Wind Power Plant (9,000 kw capacity), Xiang'an Lianhe Wind Power Plant (40,000 kw capacity),and Dadeng GUANGZHOU 00000157 002 OF 003 Island Wind Power Plant (100,000 kw capacity). Fujian is also assessing Dong Shan Island, Long Hai and Ping Tan for windmill project development. ¶6. (SBU) At present, Fujian's wind power accounts for less than 1% of the province's power supply; Fujian has identified 41 million kilowatts (kw) of total wind power potential, 6 million kw of which can be exploited. The provincial government's goal is to increase active wind power supply to 2.5 million kw by the year 2020. -------------- Hydropower and Tidal Energy -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Fujian is one of China's leading provinces in the development of small hydropower facilities, according to media reports. The province has five major hydropower stations, accounting for an estimated 32% of its total power supply (coal accounts for 67.5%),and over 6,000 small hydropower stations, located mostly in rural areas. By the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan, the province plans to invest RMB 8 billion (USD 1.17 billion) to develop an additional 1.2 million kw of small hydropower capacity. However, after proposed expansions, Fujian's hydro resources will soon tap out, leaving little room for expansion, according to Zhang Ronglin, Senior Engineer at the Fujian Electric Power Test and Research Institute. ¶8. (SBU) Fujian ranks number one in China in tidal energy potential, with a total potential capacity of 10 million kw, almost half of China's 21 million kw of exploitable capacity. Fujian's Electric Power Test and Research Institute, however, is not optimistic about tidal development in the near future due to the associated costs and constraints of commercial production. Costs of tidal projects can average three to four times more than a conventional coal-fired plant, according to Huang Shulin, Deputy Director of Transportation and Energy - Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission (DRC). -------------- LNG Expansion -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Launched in 2008, Fujian's LNG Terminal is poised to expand its operations (ref A). The China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC)-controlled project is undergoing construction of two gas storage tanks. With an expected completion date of 2011, the tanks will increase the terminal's storage capacity to 640,000 cubic meters. ¶10. (SBU) The terminal will eventually supply natural gas to three gas-fired power plants in Putian, Jinjiang and Xiamen. The first generating unit of the Putian Gas Power Plant went online in December 2008. According to Fujian Electric Power Test and Research Institute - Senior Engineer Zhang Ronglin, the two other gas power plants will begin commercial operations this year. The Jinjiang site will use generators from Singapore's Jin Ying Group. The terminal will also supply gas to distribution centers in Putian, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen and Zhangzhou. -------------- The Future of Fujian's Energy Sector -------------- ¶11. (U) Fujian is currently drafting its 12th Five-year Plan, and Huang, from the provincial DRC, predicts that it will focus even more on renewable and clean energy development, especially LNG. While coal will remain Fujian's primary source of energy, the provincial government will continue to prioritize the development of nuclear and wind power, according to Zhao Daobiao, Vice Dean and Senior Engineer at the Fujian Electric Power Test and Research Institute. Professor Guo Xiangbing, Secretary General of the GUANGZHOU 00000157 003 OF 003 Fujian Provincial Energy Research Council, predicted that in the coming years, coal-fired power plants would experience a downturn as renewable energies become more competitive. ¶12. (SBU) Even as Fujian works to develop alternative energy, the province is also paying close attention to the promotion of energy efficiency and energy conservation. According to media reports, the provincial government has established a fund to promote energy-efficiency in local industry; the fund will cover initiatives such as technical assistance, transformation of coal-burning industrial boilers, recycling of excess heat and pressure, transformation of electric and mechanical systems, and conservation/substitution of petroleum. Incentives will be awarded to enterprises engaging in energy-saving projects. Projects that save 1,000 tons of standard coal or more will receive RMB 150 for each ton saved, up to RMB 2 million, according to the plan. In addition, power suppliers that proactively invest in energy-efficient projects will reportedly receive subsidies amounting to 10-15% of the total capital investment if the total project investment exceeds RMB 1 million, up to RMB 3 million. GOLDBERG