(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-10 07:06

Editor's note: The US clean energy trade mission's 17 CEOs, led by US Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian, visited Beijing yesterday. The mission is holding talks with Chinese energy and trade officials and company executives. China Daily spoke to some of them about current energy issues. For more information, please visit http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/energy and read China Business Weekly on Monday.

The goal for China's energy development in 2008 is to build a biological energy system and promote healthy development of the energy biosphere. To achieve that goal, China will step up energy saving, develop new energies and foster clean-energy technologies. (We need to) develop the green economy, advocate green civilization, promote green life and develop green industries.

Xu Dingming

Deputy director, the Office of the National Energy Leading Group
 

The markets are waiting for a premium, environmentally friendly vehicle, and we are very glad to bring one to China ... Our new hybrid car model will be displayed at the Detroit auto show next week. The four-door luxury car uses batteries and transforms solar power to electricity. It can run on a battery for 60 km at a time, with a mere six hours of charging time at most ... We prefer producing these cars in China and delivering them back to the US.

Neel Sirash

Chief Technology Officer, Quantum Technologies Inc
 

Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) plans to set up its China project soon to help the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market instruments.

Wang Jianxin

Senior Advisor, CCX
 

I came to China because I think there's so much momentum in China ... I enjoy the culture. I enjoy the speed at which China is growing. I enjoy the opportunities, the growth is enormous ... We're here and we're committed to staying here.

Christina Lampe-Onnerud

CEO, Boston-Power Inc
 

Chinese alternative energy companies could acquire foreign technology to speed up their development, especially in the areas of wind power and photovoltaics. The wind power sector offers huge growth potential for equipment makers. It's estimated China's total installed capacity of wind power will amount to 30 million kW, compared with 3.6 million kW by this June. As for photovoltaics, its cost could be reduced to the same level of coal-fired power plants in the near future, thanks to the huge investment in photovoltaic technology in recent years.

Huang Jigang

Deputy General Manager, enterprise development, China General Technology (Group) Holding Ltd
 

I think anyone coming into China today thinking they are going to get a quick return should go somewhere else. To come into China, you have to be committed to a long-term vision and work with the changes and policies, and hopefully have some input into the policy-making.

Gerald Page

CEO, Han Wind Energy Corp
 

For any alternative energy companies, China simply cannot be ignored due to its great potential. For example, one European wind-power equipment company decided to set up a manufacturing facility in China two years ago, to capture the market opportunity here. Currently, half of the company's growth comes from China. And now, it has become the largest wind turbine maker in Europe in terms of sales, compared with the fifth largest two years ago.

He Ran

Executive Deputy Director, China Feasible Energy and Environmental Technology Center
 

We believe that Capstone Turbine Corp will provide perfect solutions to meet that strategic objective. With the integration of advanced technologies, which result in highest reliability, lowest emissions and excellent thermal efficiency, our company can help protect the environment, improve energy conservation and reduce end-user energy costs.

Jim Crouse

Executive Vice-President, Capstone Turbine Corp
 

It is absolutely necessary for large energy companies like Sinopec to rely on two sectors for further development - both traditional and alternative energy. The opportunity to exchange with US counterparts provides some references and possible solutions for Sinopec in terms of driving the bio-energy sector and finding foreign partners.

Zhang Xianlin

Senior Advisor, Sinopec Engineering Incorporation
 

The dialogue offers an opportunity for Chinese companies to exchange with US companies and broaden their vision in clean-energy technologies. For government officials and companies from the United States, it is also a golden opportunity for them to become familiar with China's policies on renewable energy.

Chen Yi

Director, international cooperation department, China Petroleum and Petrochemical Equipment Industry Association
 

The basis of our specialty is always technology. GE believes that every point of efficiency means a lot, and every point of emissions reduction means a lot, so we need to develop good technology. We are the global leader in some energy-related technologies, such as gas turbines. Another thing we can offer specially for China is experience and expertise. Our energy business has the longest-serving employees at GE in China.

Jack Wen

President, GE Energy (China)
 

Himin is looking for overseas partners who can help to open the US market, so that's why we came to the forum. We will meet a solar energy consulting company later, which could provide us with information on solar heaters in the US market. But that's not enough for us. We need US agencies to help open the door to the overseas market. We are already established in the European market.

Xue Xinwen

Director, international business, Himin Solar Energy Group

(China Daily 01/10/2008 page14)