AN EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF WIND POWER IN CHINA

Hitherto, China has a mainly coal-based energy consumption structure and the proportion of coal in the total energy consumption can amount to more than 70%. Therefore, prioritizing the exploitation and use of renewable energy is the only way for China to deal with its increasing demand for energy and environmental problems and achieve sustainable development. Wind energy is the world's fastest growing energy source and has the most promising prospects for large-scale commercial development. Although the history of wind power utilization in China can be traced back to ancient times, an explosive growth in the development of wind power has occurred only in recent years as a result of the Chinese government's strong commitment to boost renewable energy utilization. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the historical development of using wind energy in China, summarize its latest status and discuss the main challenges facing China's wind power industry now.