China: Brightness Program

Decentralized electrification of rural areas through renewables

Date Implemented: 1996-1999

Targets: Wind and solar equipment is to be installed to provide 100W of electricity per capita to eight million people, as part of the Central Government Poverty Alleviation Meeting.

References: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35787.pdf

China: Low interest loans

The Chinese government has issued low interest loans and interest subsidies for power plants using renewable technolgies to reduce the cost.

Date Implemented: since 1987

Status: In Force

China: Tax incentives

The Chinese government provides tax incentives to promote the development of renewable energy technologies. The standard VAT is 17%. However, VAT for biogas is only 13%, and VAT for wind is 8.5% and for small hydro-projects is only 6%.

Status: In Force

China: Import Duties

The Chinese government has lowered import duties to directly promote the development of renewable energy technologies.  The average import duty now stands at 23%, but renewable energy technologies enjoy special low rates: 3% for components of wind power plants, 6% for wind turbines, and 12% for photovoltaics (PV) systems.

Status: In Force

China: Parallel Operation Regulations for Wind Power Generation

This legislation requires power grids to allow interconnection and parallel operations of wind farms, and states that power grids must buy all the electricity generated by wind farms at a price that covers production costs.

Date Implemented: 1996

Status: Mandatory

China: Ninth Five-Year Plan

Under the 9th Five-Year Plan, China initiated several national programs including the Brightness Program, Integrated and Comprehensive Rural Electrification, Energy Efficient Lighting, and the Riding Wind Program.

Date Implemented: 1996-2000

Status: Ended; Framework Policy

China: Electric Power Law

This law emphasizes government support of small hydropower systems, solar energy, wind, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy resources for rural electrification.

Date Implemented: 1995

Status: Framework Policy

References: Energy and Power in China: Domestic Regulation and Foreign Policy, The Foreign Policy Centre, http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/448.pdf

China: Program on New and Renewable Energy Development in China (1996-2010)

This program provides tax incentives and  low interest loans for new and renewable energy projects. 

Date Implemented: 1996-2010

Status: In Force; Mandatory

China: Township Electrification Program

The Township Electrification Program gave one million rural people in one thousand townships (or about 250,000 households) access to electricity with energy from solar PV, small hydro and a small amount of wind generation. The next phase of the program is the village electrification phase, aiming to electrify 20,000 villages during the period 2005-2010.

Date Implemented: 2001, installation completed 2003

China: Renewable Energy Law