China's ambitious growth plans unsustainable

Power generation expansion

This comprises the four sectors of alternatives, nuclear, hydro and coal.

Wind power

China's leadership in wind power is the result of considerable access to technological advances and processes via joint ventures with world leading manufacturers in China in which China demands considerable local content. The manufacturing content and processes are all energy intensive.

Hydro

The high profile green contributor that includes the Three Gorges Dam and very large dams cascades along the main channels and tributaries of China's Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong, Red and Nu rivers.

Many projects, completed, under construction and in the planning stages are facing the reality of serious environmental and socio-economic consequences. Downstream effects on trans-national rivers are beginning to emerge and have the capacity to sour neighbour relations.

Construction is energy intensive in respect to steel, cement, and explosive production, and on site works.

Nuclear

China is progressing with the world's largest nuclear power expansion program that includes 40 operating nuclear plants by 2020. Despite the lead times on reactor construction, it is highly unlikely to achieve its goal in this time frame but is proceeding at fastest possible speed.

Like alternative energy, China has benefited substantially from foreign technology and joint ventures that require 70 per cent local manufactured content in China's nuclear reactors. The manufacturing processes and content are all energy intensive.

Coal

Coal provides more than 70 per cent of China's base-load power generation. It is fast tracking development of domestic and neighbouring coal supply, serviced by high capacity dedicated rail networks in the north, central, and west.