(September 5, 2007) A strong bias toward local producers and rigid price controls hinder European investors from making significant inroads into China’s vast energy sector.
China shuts down 400 heavy polluting factories
(September 5, 2007) The country’s environmental watchdog has shut down 400 factories since the July launch of a national campaign to tackle water pollution and clean up industries along major waterways, including the Yellow and the Yangtze rivers.
China’s renewable energy targets will include large-scale hydro – state planner
(September 4, 2007) Large-scale hydropower development in the country’s southwest will be integral to China’s plans to lift the proportion of renewable energy in its total energy mix to 15% by 2020, said Chen Deming, vice-director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
China plans $265 billion renewables spending
(September 4, 2007) China plans to invest RMB ¥2 trillion (US$265 billion) in renewable energy by 2020, most of it corporate cash, to wean itself off polluting coal as it aims for cleaner growth. Over half the proposed investment will go into large dams.
Crude oil pipeline leak pollutes entire city’s water supply
(September 3, 2007) Wangyao Reservoir, the main water supply for 2.15 million residents in Yan’an, was polluted by crude oil leaking from a broken pipeline on Saturday. The pipeline, which belongs to the Changqing Oil Field, was broken by a landslide. The leaked oil quickly spread over eight kilometres of the Xingzihe River.
China steps up ‘green power’ pressure
(September 2, 2007) China’s State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has stepped up the pressure on electricity suppliers to ‘go green’. It will assume nationwide oversight over power companies that are required under the country’s renewable energy law to prioritize purchases of the maximum amount of ‘green’ electricity.
Three gorges dam exacts its toll
(August 29, 2007) The Three Gorges Dam project is suffering from unforeseen problems including landslides and water pollution, raising new doubts about a project that has come to symbolize the country’s effort to control its environment.
In China, New Risks Emerge At Giant Three Gorges Dam
(August 29, 2007) China’s vaunted engineering marvel, the Three Gorges Dam, drew fierce criticism during its construction for uprooting more than a million people and manhandling the Yangtze River basin. Now, a year after completion, the project has new problems — including landslides, water pollution and suggestions that the dam could contribute to the very flooding it was built to prevent.
Voith Siemens wins Yangtze hydro contract
(August 20, 2007) International Water Power & Dam Construction reports that Voith Siemens has won a US$120 million electro-mechanical equipment contract for the Jinping II hydro plant on the Yalong river, a major Yangtze tributary in western China. 4800-MW Jinping II is part of a major cascade development by Ertan Hydropower Development Corporation.
Yangtze dolphin is no more
(August 17, 2007) The Yangtze river dolphin (or baiji) made headlines last week after an international team of researchers announced the “functional extinction” of the species.
US firm supplies state-of-the-art river monitoring equipment to Three Gorges project
Sutron Corporation is supplying state-of-the-art river monitoring equipment to the Three Gorges project, according to an August 13 release from the NASDAQ-listed company.
China withdraws credit from polluting companies
(August 2, 2007) A blacklist of polluting companies, including two well known food processors, was issued by China’s environmental watchdog yesterday, which denies bank loans in attempt to punish those that flout regulations.
Three Gorges Dam withstands largest flood peak
(August 1, 2007) The Yangtze River’s highest flood peak this season has passed through the Three Gorges Dam as of Sunday. Seventeen sluice gates have been opened to keep water level below the designed 144 meters and to ease the flood pressure on the mid-lower reaches.
Poor profit growth for China Yangtze
(August 1, 2007) China Yangtze Power, operating power plants at the Three Gorges Dam, reported a measly 4.26% increase in its first-half underlying profit as gains in overall generation were hampered by narrowing margins.
Chicago engineering firm MWH awarded hydroelectric contract in China
(August 1, 2007) MWH, a Chicago-based engineering firm, has signed a deal with China’s Ertan Hydropower Development Corporation to help build the Jinping I Hydropower project on a large Yangtze tributary in Southwest China.


