China's largest wind power plant is to open in Jieyang City as Guangdong plans to greatly enhance wind power generation.

With nearly 200 wind-driven generators and a total capacity of 100,000 kilowatts, the power plant in Huilai County is expected to begin generating electricity in September. It will initially provide more than 20,000 kilowatts for Guangdong.

One generator at the power plant can supply 600 kilowatts of power, enough for more than 100 households consuming 5,000 watts each. In full swing, the power plant can meet the demand for 20,000 households.

There are two other large wind power plants in Guangdong. One in Shantou’s Nan’ao County is the second largest in China with a capacity of 54,330 kilowatts. Another in Shanwei City has a capacity of 16,500 kilowatts.

However, only a very small part of the rich wind power resources in Guangdong’s coastal areas has been exploited.

A large numbers of wind power plants are expected to open soon. The volume of electricity generated by wind in Guangdong will increase greatly in six to seven years, insiders say.

The province has also looked at wind power on the sea, a much richer source of energy than on the coast. China’s first on-sea wind power plant, with a capacity of 20,000 kilowatts, has been planned on Nan’ao Island.

A feasibility study is being conducted and the project is expected to be up and running in two years.

Nuclear and wind power are the fastest developing and most promising sources of electricity in Guangdong. A group of nuclear power plants is also planned for the eastern side of the province.

Although the power consumption peak in Guangdong is in June, April is expected to be the leanest period for power supplies this year because many generators are being overhauled.

Authorities have urged enterprises and residents to save on power consumption.

(Shenzhen Daily April 5, 2005)