China's Soaring Energy Demand - NYT

[hatrack]

BEIJING — For all the hoopla about China's booming economy, its manufacturing muscle and its potential to become a great power, the world's most populous country is struggling to keep the lights on. And the sporadic blackouts that plagued much of China last year are raising complicated questions for the Communist Party and for the rest of the world: How and where will China get the energy it needs to maintain its economic growth? And how much will the environment suffer for it?

EDIT

China's emergence has already roiled commodities markets, as the country has become a voracious consumer of energy and raw materials. Last year, its oil imports rose by nearly a third. It also built so many new cars, factories, airports and high-rises that it passed the United States to become the world's biggest steel importer, according to the Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau, a British-based information clearinghouse for the steel industry. Last year, China accounted for almost a third of the world's consumption of finished steel. Electricity consumption jumped by 15 percent. Domestic coal production rose by 100 million tons - and still there were shortages.

Yet China's appetite today is modest compared with what is estimated for the future; the country's energy needs are expected to more than double by 2020. This prospect has the Communist Party reportedly rolling out plans for at least 100 new power plants, including nuclear, hydropower and coal-fired ones. It has also raised concerns that efforts to improve China's polluted environment will be muted by the demand for power.

EDIT

In an address earlier this month before the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao captured the competing pressures of the economy when he cited environmental protection and called for building a "conservation-minded society." Yet he also exhorted the country to develop more energy sources. "We must speed up the development of large coal mines, important power generating facilities and power grids, the exploration and exploitation of petroleum and other important resources," he said."

EDIT

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=5222

[madrchsod]

1. remember the wind blows this way-

china`s pollution effects the united states. several years ago the dust storms across the Chinese deserts painted our skies red and who knows how much we do not see in the way of dust particles and other forms of pollution. no matter how hard the bush klan stick their heads in the sand ,the problem is real and will not go away until china the the usa start figuring out how to control pollution.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Pollution a big problem there....

The South China "haze" is almost a permanent part of the landscape..they have way too many worn out 2 cycle 250cc motorbikes that are spewing noxious hydrocarbons. I really don't understand why they aren't developing solar more (they have plenty of sun year-round) to address this problem.

[NNadir]

3. Why aren't we developing solar more?

I think the issue has something to do with cost and availability.

Solar power is still not very cheap, especially, if you, like the Chinese are willing to set aside environmental considerations.

[Earth_First]

4. It is awfully surprising...

that a country as technologically and industrialized as China are not leagues beyond where some EU countries have taken alternative energy development and technology.

...Same could be said for the United States, however.

[NNadir]

5. Um, China until recently has been considered "third world."

Per capita income has just RISEN to $2,570 (as of 2002).

http://news.helplinelaw.com/1203/f_eco_cap1203.php

I very much doubt that the average Chinese citizen could afford a nice solar electric system. Hell, I can't afford one.

[cprise]

6. I's OUR soaring energy demand

The more products we demand from China, the more we raise energy demand.

All for the sake of us benefitting from labor where there is little concern for human rights.

[yltlatl]

7. EXACTLY!!!!

Ever look at all those thousands of feet of shelf space in Walmart? Something like 60% of the stuff sold in Wal-Mart comes from China--don't quote me, but it's a lot. I would be willing to bet that 90% of the stuff is going to end up in a landfill within two years. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but America desperately, DESPERATELY needs to radically change its consumption habits in virtually every category of product for the good of the whole planet.