China’s capacity to manufacture renewable energy equipment has grown dramatically, but the application of this technology to the delivery of renewable energy within China has been slower.

Despite the Fukushima accident, China’s government seems ready to press ahead with ambitious plans for its nuclear energy industry, though with more care.

China’s draft five-year plan presents ambitions to radically constrain economic growth and energy demand, and to restructure the economy.

China’s ambitious plans for natural gas consumption and import will result in the country becoming an important force in international gas markets, as it is now for oil and coal.

China’s NOCs have greatly enhanced their positions in the Americas, a region which now accounts for some 30% of their collective overseas investments.

Even if China succeeds in attaining its goals for energy intensity over the next ten years, energy consumption will continue to rise and affect international markets.

China’s government has introduced a new system of tiered or lifeline tariffs for household electricity, but too many households will pay the lowest tariff.

The last two years have seen China become a significant net importer of coal, and these imports are having a major impact on international coal markets.

China’s government has taken recent steps to address inconsistencies within the systems for pricing oil and gas, but problems with coal and electricity remain.

Although CNPC’s first overseas investments in the early 1990s were in North and South America (Canada and Peru), these continents have not been prime targets for China’s national oil companies (NOCs).  Rather, the companies have been directing their attention to Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The period since May 2009 has seen a … Continue Reading ››