Rebates offered for use of energy saving systems

By Yang Lifei  |   2008-12-22  |     ONLINE EDITION

FINANCIAL support will be offered to users of two energy saving heating and air conditioning systems under new regulations announced by the Shanghai government today.

The installation of Decentral Cogeneration Systems and Gas-fired air-conditioning systems will improve energy use efficiency and ensure the security of gas and power supplies, according to government spokesman Chen Qiwei.

Local hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, office buildings and factories which install the systems between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012 will be eligible for a government allowance under the new regulations.

Users of the Decentral Cogeneration System will be eligible for an allowance of 1,000 yuan (US$142.9) per kilowatt and users of gas-fired air-conditioning systems will be eligible for an allowance of 100 yuan per kilowatt, Chen said.

The Decentral Cogeneration System can simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat. The heat created as a by-product of electricity generation can be used for cooling, warming and producing hot water.

The engine is usually powered by natural gas and methane or other kinds of recycled energy, which can greatly reduce polluting emissions such as Sulfur Dioxide, Chen said.

The city government's key infrastructure projects will be required to install the Decentral Cogeneration System and Gas-fired air-conditioning system during construction, he added.

Shanghai has set up 15 sites over the past few years to use such systems with a total installed capacity of 15,000 kilowatts. These include the first phase of Pudong International Airport, No. 711 Institute Xinzhuang Research and Development Base, and Minhang District Central Hospital, Chen said.