Chengdu New Energy Forum boosts investments in Sichuan

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By Bao Wanxian (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-10 08:45

Whilst world leaders are pre-occupied with preparing for December's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the 2009 Chengdu New Energy International Forum & Solar Energy Fair has already opened for business. The event, a centerpiece for China's environmental protection industry, began on September 7 in Sichuan's capital city.

Sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the China Renewable Energy Society and the Chengdu Municipal People's Government, the two-day event proved a major draw for climate change experts and entrepreneurs from across the world.

Welcoming the event, Li Chuncheng, secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee, said the city had given great support to the development of its new energy industry over recent years.

He said: "This forum provides an ideal opportunity for Chengdu to learn about the latest international technological developments and scientific thinking on this issue. It provides a real boost for wind, solar, nuclear and other renewable energy causes."

This year's forum will focus on photovoltaic and solar technology. It will take as its particular theme: "Opportunities and Challenges in the Solar Energy Industry."

In total, some 78 companies in the new energy industry, from China and overseas, took part in the event.

Participating companies and government representatives include: the Wuxi-based Suntech Power Group, the Tianwei Group, the Sichuan Apollo Solar Science & Technology Company, the US-China Green Energy Council and the China Renewable Energy Society. Additionally, more than 100 Sichuan new energy enterprises and a number of other high-level industrial projects will feature at the event.

According to Li, Chengdu's commitment to the event is a sign that solar energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, new energy vehicles and the semiconductor lighting industries are of growing importance to the city's economy.

The new growth engine

Shuangliu county, located to the southwest of Chengdu, is one of China's top 100 counties in terms of economic development. It has built a particular reputation with regard to its new energy industry.

As part of the rapid development of its Southwest Airport Centralized Economic Development Zone, Shuangliu has attracted various solar industry-related businesses to invest in the area, most notably the Tianwei Group, the Sichuan Apollo Solar Science & Technology Company, the Xinguang Silicon Group, the Chengdu Institute of Optics and Electronics and the Chengdu Going Power Company.

"It will be the new growth engine for both Sichuan's economic development and China's new energy industry," said a spokesman for the county.

According to the spokesman, both the more mature ancillary businesses and the new start-ups in the area are keen to support the county's initiative in developing its new energy industry.

Over recent years, Shuangliu county's local officials have striven to develop three key policies designed to highlight the benefits of conducting alternative energy Research and Development (R&D) in the area.

First of all there are the infrastructure benefits offered by Shuangliu county. In terms of transport the county has the centrally-located Shuangliu International Airport, ready access to the Chengdu-Kunming railway and is on the route of three major cross-country road networks.

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