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China to increase renewable energy

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Senior Chinese government officials announced plans Monday to more than double the use of renewable energy resources by 2020, state-run media said.

Analysts see energy security is one of the key objectives of President Hu Jintao's administration. Renewable energy sources offers the Chinese an opportunity to reduce reliance on foreign supplies and cut back pollutants like coal.

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Hu addressed the opening session of the International Renewable Energy Conference in Beijing Monday calling on advanced nations to share research findings and increase technology transfer and funding of renewable-energy resource projects in the developing world.

Zhang Guobao, a vice minister with the National Development and Reform Commission, said China plans to spend approximately $180 billion dollars on renewable energy over the next 15 years with the aim of increasing the use of renewable sources in primary energy consumption from 7 percent now to 15 percent by 2020.

Zhang noted China had spent $600 million dollars to install solar power units in 700 small towns located in remote mountainous areas far from the country's electrical grid. He said there are still 30 million Chinese without access to electricity.

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Vice premier Zeng Peiyan told the conference China will use water resources, construct wind power plants capable of generating a 1 million kilowatts, as well as put greater attention to solar energy and use of methane for energy supplies in rural areas. Zeng said China will boost its own R&D efforts in the renewable energy sector.

Representatives from the United Nations, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Commission and government officials from 100 countries responsible for energy and environmental affairs are attending the conference.

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