Despite the huge potential for renewable energy to play a key role in sustainable development for China, there remain a number of challenges limiting the expansion of renewable energy markets under prevailing conditions. These challenges can be broadly grouped into institutional, technical, and policy issues. In many cases targeted capacity building and technical assistance activities can have a significant effect in lowering these barriers and hence are valuable tools for promoting renewable energy commercialization. The present SETC UNDP/GEF project addresses a number of critical capacity building and technical assistance needs for accelerating the commercialization of renewable energy in China.

      The Project is grounded in a market sector approach, focussing on a limited number of key renewable energy technology applications. A programme of capacity building, technical assistance, and technology transfer activities will develop national capacity to realize the potential of market-ready technology applications. Coupling broad capacity building initiatives with work in specific market sectors allows the Project to address the challenges facing the more widespread adoption of renewable energy in China, while at the same time resulting in direct and measurable impacts.  The Project will also contribute to the development of national policies for renewable energy development, through its own activities and in cooperation with other groups working with the Government of China.    

      A series of technology application projects (for industrial application of biogas technologies, hybrid village power systems, and bagasse co-generation) are addressing issues presently inhibiting widespread commercialization in these particular market sectors.  Design and finance guidebooks will provide generic and flexible system designs that can be replicated on a commercial basis at other potential sites.  Complementary capacity building activities for business development and financing will build around the nuclei of the technology application projects to maximize the impact of the Project on commercialization in these market sectors.

      The Project is under the overall supervision of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which provides in-country technical and managerial support through the UNDP Office in Beijing. The Chinese State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) is implementing the Project, with assistance from the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). The SETC has established a project management office (PMO) as a mechanism to ensure effective and efficient implementation of activities.  The PMO is located in Beijing and reports directly to the National Project Director, the Director of the PMO, and the PMO Deputy Directors. Day-to-day duties are carried out by the National Project Coordinator, Senior Technical Advisor and 2 UNV specialists. Contact the PMO here.

      The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) acts as the executing agency for international financing contributed in support of Project activities. UNDESA is responsible for procurement and payment of services, subcontracts and equipment in accordance with UN rules and procedures.

      A project Advisory Group (AG) is convened twice every year to provide overall Project guidance. The AG consists of the SETC, SEPA, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, all Project co-financiers, the World Bank and the Project executing and implementing agencies. The AG reviews key documents such as semi-annual and annual reports, workplans, budgets and terms of reference for subcontracts. Additional individuals may also be invited to attend AG meetings.