Energy demand in China is huge. Second only to the US in terms of energy use, the country is hard pressed to provide energy for its rapidly growing populace. Given the 90% share of fossil fuels in its energy mix, it isn’t surprising that China is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters and is suffering badly from air pollution. A larger share of clean, renewable energy sources is therefore crucial if China is to meet the populace’s energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

China is keen to promote renewable energy sources. As of yet, however, renewable energies represent a small part of China’s energy mix. The Guanting wind farm makes an important contribution towards strengthening renewable energy sources and changing China’s energy strategy. Consisting of 33 turbines, it supplies electricity directly to the regional power grid while serving as an example and test site for large scale wind farms. In 2008, the wind farm provided some of the renewable energy used to power the Olympic Games in Beijing.