China to cap energy use at 4 bln tonnes of coal equivalent by 2015
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The 12th Five-Year Program draft will be reviewed and is expected to be approved by deputies to the National People's Congress, which opens its annual session Saturday in Beijing.
China announced in 2009 that it pledged to cut carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 40 to 45 percent by 2020, relative to 2005 levels. In the five years to 2010, China achieved a 19.1 percent decrease in energy consumption per unit of GDP, close to its target of a 20 percent cut.
He said that the five-year plan would demand higher energy efficiency. China would start a trial program for energy saving and emission cuts and resource comprehensive utilization in sectors such as clean coal, oil refining, thermal power, nuclear power and renewable energies during the five-year period, he said.
Furthermore, he said that energy security is also a significant task through the five years when China will increase strategic reserves of oil and gas, while constructing storage bases for natural gas and coal.
He said that the recent turmoil in the Middle East had driven up international oil prices, raising the alert on energy security once again.
"Oil security is the most important part of achieving energy security," he said, adding that "preparations for alternative energies should be made as soon as possible."
