China's wind power capacity increases

Beijing, Aug 16 (IANS) China's on-grid wind power capacity has reached over 50 gigawatts this year, representing an annual growth rate of 87 percent.

However, technical problems have prevented the efficient use of wind power, Xinhua quoted China's largest utility company State Grid as saying Wednesday.

Company spokesman Zhang Zhengling said that linking regional networks to the national grid remains a major challenge, although wind power usage has reached a "high level".

In 2011, power generated from wind totalled 70.6 billion kwh, about 28 times the amount generated in 2006, Zhang said. It is expected to reach 100 gigawatts by 2015.

The focus on new energy comes as the country seeks to limit fossil fuel use and cut carbon emissions by 17 percent per unit of gross domestic product by 2015.