China sets new rules in bid to cut energy use

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-8-8  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHINA issued tightened rules on energy conservation in buildings yesterday, as part of the country's efforts to reduce power use and improve efficiency.

The targeted buildings include residences, government offices and structures used for commercial, educational and sanitation purposes.

Government departments at all levels were ordered to enhance their energy-use management, cultivate energy-saving product markets and disseminate energy-saving knowledge among the public. The regulation said China provides favorable policies and encouraged enterprises and other organizations to adopt renewable products in new construction, such as solar and geothermal energy.

Under the new rules, government construction departments will have the power to monitor energy-saving management nationwide. They were given the responsibility to draw up national civilian energy-saving plans and develop related standards.

Local governments above the county level were asked to allocate funds to energy and scientific research institutions to encourage the study of energy-saving technologies. Further, imports of energy-intensive technologies, materials and equipment will be restricted or banned.

Governments at all levels were asked to renovate buildings to meet conservation standards, focusing on areas such as ventilation systems.

If construction enterprises buy or use energy-intensive products, they could face penalties of 200,000 yuan (US$29,141) to 500,000 yuan. Design institutes that violate the rules will face penalties of 100,000 yuan to 300,000 yuan.

The new regulations are viewed as a significant advance in China's efforts to cut energy use and reduce pollution.

Meanwhile, China continued to make headway in its efforts to improve energy efficiency as its per-unit energy consumption was down 2.88 percent year on year in the first half, government figures revealed yesterday.