FEASIBILITY STUDY OF WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL IN CHINA

Remarkable economic achievements have been made in China since the eco nomic reform in 1978. High agricultural and industrial productivity as well as rapid development of the tertiary industry and continouous im provement of living standard have resulted in a jumping power demand T he pressing need for updating the current infrastructure, power indust ry in particular is the key to the sustainable economic growth and con tinuous industrialisation. The crucial role of rural industry in econo mic development and the fact of over 70% of the rural population have brought a great opportunity for wind energy development One of the mos t cost-effective ways to diffuse wind power technology is through tech nology transfer based on joint venture activities due to the enormous initial capital investment and complexity of wind power technology to ease the severe domestic power shortage. Foreign aid and investment wi ll no doubt have a stimulatory effect on wind energy development in Ch ina The future benefits in terms of technology transfer and internatio nal trade will easily outweigh the current problems and thus contribut e to sustainable economic development in maw years to come.