Dearth of transmission lines crippling RE use in China

Is severely affecting electricity generated from new energy resources.

The National Energy Administration said 20 billion kilowatt hours of wind-generated electricity was wasted last year mainly due to underdeveloped transmission facilities.

China has vast wind resources in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and other northern areas. It had the greatest installed wind power capacity of any country in the world in 2012.

The infrastructure problem is likely to lead to the waste of some 20 billion kilowatt hours of electricity generated at the Luoxidu and Xiangjiaba hydropower stations on the Jinshajiang River this year, according to NEA.

China has been striving to boost its share of new energy resources used in primary energy consumption to reduce emissions amid rising public complaints. Non-fossil fuels contributed to 21.4% of China’s total power generation in 2012. Hydropower made up 17.4% and wind power, 2%.