What role does renewable energy play in the world's fastest growing economy? We have all heard about China's prowess as an economic power, but not what its growth means for the country's energy needs in the coming decades. China's burgeoning consumption rate, its increase in heavy industry exports and a construction boom that has led the Chinese to nominate the "crane" as their national bird have fuelled a massive and increasing appetite for energy -- intensified by the government's balancing act of not imposing energy constraints while also seeking more energy sources.
Some predict that China will need up to US$3.7 trillion in investments to fuel this growth. Its energy use grew by 8.4% in 2007 compared to overall world demand growth of 2.4%. Clearly, exploring alternative energy sources is not a luxury based on environmental concerns, but an absolute necessity to simply provide enough energy for China. According to Yang Fu Qiang of the Energy Foundation, if China uses only traditional energy sources, "it simply will not have enough energy capacity for its population."
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