During September 17-18, 2001, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the China State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) convened a workshop on Renewable Energy Business Development in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The workshop was organized by the Center for Renewable Energy Development (CRED) of the Energy Research Institute (ERI) hosted in the China State Development and Planning Commission (SDPC), by the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and by Tibet Huaguan PV Tech. Co. Ltd.
More than 100 participants from Chinese renewable energy industries and research institutes attended the workshop. The United States delegation was smaller than planned originally, due to travel restrictions imposed in the US during the second and third weeks of September. Representatives from 4 US companies were present in Chengdu, out of the 10 originally registered.
Opening remarks were offered by Mr. David Bleyle, US Consul General in Chengdu, by Mr. Xianfa Liu, deputy director general of the Department of Resource Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization, SETC; by Mr. Dehou Li, deputy director of the Economic and Trade Commission of Sichuan Province; by Mr. Junsheng Zhu, Chairman of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association; by Mr. Junfeng Li, deputy director of the Energy Research Institute, SDPC; and by Mr. Guanfa Han, general manger of the Huaguan Solar PV company.
In his opening remarks Mr. Xianfa Liu indicated that since the beginning of the implementation of the Energy Cooperation Protocol between China and the United States, diverse activities have been carried out benefiting a wide range enterprises and institutes. Mr. Liu announced a forthcoming Renewable Energy Development Plan, to be issued by the SETC by the end of November 2001.
Mr. David Bleyle emphasized that trade missions such as the ones convened at the workshop are an excellent method of increasing understanding and of finding mutually beneficial opportunities for private sector organizations. The US Embassy in Beijing has an Environment, Science and Technology Section, in which renewable energy plays a prominent part, and energy technologies are one of the most active areas of US-China bilateral cooperation. Mr. Bleyle also stressed that Climate Change is a serious global concern, and renewable energy to be considered a necessary element in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in a sustainable manner.
Mr. Dehou Li, Deputy director of the Sichuan Economic and Trade Commission, presented Sichuan’s natural resources and renewable energy potential, encouraging foreign investors to invest in the province’s abundant renewable energy resources.
Ms. Debra Lew, NREL Project Manager, presented the activities under Annex 4 of the Sino-US protocol, summarizing the work accomplished to date and the priorities for future reinforced cooperation.
Ms. Xiaorong Cao from the Commercial section of the American Consulate in Chengdu, presented resources available at the Consulate in Chengdu for people desiring to invest in the province or elsewhere in China.
In the second half of the meeting, presentations were given on a variety of topics including SETC’s renewable energy development plan, the US DOE/NREL supported Chinese renewable energy development project, the GEF/World bank China renewable energy development project, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association and its related Investment Opportunity Facility, and the Brightness Program of SDPC.
Mr. Wenqiang Liu, SETC Project officer, elaborated on SETC’s Renewable Energy Development Plan stating that during China’s 10th five-year plan, SETC will focus mainly on four types of renewable energy technologies: wind, solar water heater, solar PV and large medium scale biogas projects. Specific objectives will be developed for each technology prioritizing market-oriented policies, placing enterprises at the core of business development strategies, and encouraging technology improvement and quality standards.
Four companies of the DOE delegation and about 20 Chinese companies representing a wide range of provinces were offered the floor to introduce their products and interests in cooperating with each other. A list of participants can be found annexed to the present report. After the panel meeting, one to one business talks were arranged.
Informal meetings were organized by CRED between workshop participants and representatives of the GEF/World Bank China Renewable Energy Development Project Management Office, Jike Energy New Technology Co.Ltd, and Tibet Huaguan PV Tech Co. Site visits were conducted to enterprises in Sichuan and an MOA was signed with at least one US counterpart.
The workshop in Chengdu was followed by a study tour to Yunnan and Inner Mongolia for members of the US DOE delegation, accompanied by CRED and CREIA staff.
Pictures
prepare for the meeting
opening remarks
presentation
