World Bank projects to boost Chinese energy efficiency

by Richard Kilner

Story link: World Bank projects to boost Chinese energy efficiency

On Tuesday a trio of projects aimed at bolstering China’s energy efficiency were approved by the World Bank.

The three projects will receive loans of $441m, approximately a third of the World Bank’s lending to China this year.

David Dollar, the organisation’s country director, explained that through greater efficiency and less pollution, not only would the Chinese environment be safeguarded, but the economy itself would be strengthened.

Dollar went on to say that the projects, (the Energy Efficiency Financing Project, the Shandong Flue Gas Desulfurisation Project, and the Liaoning Third Medium Cities Infrastructure Project) would also assist the worldwide effort to combat climate change.

A number of large energy efficiency loan programs will be delivered through the Energy Efficiency Financing Project, with participating banks including Export-Import Bank of China and Huaxia Bank.

The Shandong Flue Gas Desulfurization Project is aimed at Shandong Province, the second most polluting (in terms of sulphur dioxide) in China.

Gas desulphurisation and control units will be installed in Shandong power plants using the funding the World Bank provides.

The Liaoning Third Medium Cities Infrastructure Project will seek to tackle inefficient heating systems in Liaoning by enabling the construction of superior central heating systems and aiming to recover wasted heat from industrial activity.

In the long term, China has set itself the goal of increasing its current share of renewables from 7% to 10% in two years, and then 16% by 2020.