China on track for 100 GW

Chinese support for wind power is so strong that the country will likely reach its goal of 100 GW of installed capacity by 2020, up from nearly 10 GW now, according to independent information provider Emerging Energy Research (EER). Driven by "ravenous" demand for energy, the country will beat its wind installation target even under conservative outlook scenarios, the firm says. This will help China achieve its 2020 target of supplying 15% of primary energy from renewable sources well before that year, it says, adding China is "unlikely to be derailed -- or even side-tracked -- by the current global financial crisis." The assessment is based on interviews with independent power producers, utilities, manufacturers and government ministries.