The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
on Sunday inaugurated a major solar technology project in Lanzhou,
capital of northwest China's
Gansu Province.
The UNIDO International Center for the Promotion and Transfer of
Solar Energy Technology aims primarily to promote the exchange of
solar technology and enhance international cooperation among
developing countries in this field, via a platform of information
exchange and training, said UNIDO Director-General Dr. Kandeh
Kolleh Yumkella.
At the inauguration ceremony, Yumkella praised China's efforts
and achievements in solar energy research and application.
He said that the solar project under construction in Lanzhou
"will make a valuable contribution" to the international
development of solar energy, and "enhance technology transfer
between China and developing countries, thus contributing to
increased cooperation among developing countries, a priority of
both the Chinese government and UNIDO".
Gansu Province, with abundant solar resources, is leading the
research, development and application of solar energy technology in
China.
Xu Shousheng, vice governor of Gansu, said that the province
will spare no efforts to support the UNIDO solar project and push
forward the global application of solar energy, especially in
developing countries.
According to the agreement between UNIDO and the Chinese
government entered into last December, China will invest 150
million yuan (US$18.5 million) in the project.
The solar technology center will be established under the
auspices of the Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute (also known
as the Asia-Pacific Solar Energy Research and Training Center), a
world-renowned solar energy research institute and China's
first.
The center will begin operations in two years.
Under the Renewable Energy Law passed by China's top
legislature, the National People's Congress, in February 2005, the
country regards renewable energy, including solar energy, as a
critical part of its energy strategy.
Renewable energy will account for over 10 percent of China's
total volume of primary energy consumption by 2020, with solar
energy consumption second only to hydroelectricity.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2006)