China joins IEA to ‘usher in a new era’ of bioenergy development
– Bioenergy is critical ‘to building a beautiful China’
– China accounted for over half of all bioenergy additions in the power sector in 2019
– Membership is a ‘milestone in the development of bioenergy in China’
China has joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) to ‘usher in a new era of bioenergy development’, saying it is critical to ‘building a beautiful China’.
Initially the China National Renewable Energy Centre (CNREC) plans to join two IEA Bioenergy groups, known as tasks: “Energy from Biogas” (Task 37) and “Climate and sustainability effects of bioenergy within the broader bioeconomy” (Task 45).
Membership of the TCP will offer an avenue to advance and accelerate China’s deployment of sustainable bioenergy, and combine their market leading expertise with other bioenergy technology frontrunners worldwide.
China – a bioenergy powerhouse
According to IEA data, in 2019 China accounted for comfortably over half of bioenergy additions in the power sector (4.7 GW) and it is the third largest global producer of fuel ethanol. In 2018 heat and electricity derived from solid biomass accounted for approximately 186,000 jobs and approximately 145,000 for biogas.
China possess significant biomass resources which could be harnessed to produce sustainable bioenergy, providing a solution to deliver cleaner air, enhanced energy security, waste management and meet growing energy demand. The IEA observes that much progress has already been made on this front as China leads deployment of bioenergy in the power sector, is scaling up biomass heating solutions, and growing biofuel production.
Tremendous growth opportunities
The Chair of IEA Bioenergy, Jim Spaeth said, “China joining the IEA Bioenergy TCP adds a key strategic member representing the world’s largest population and a country with tremendous growth opportunities in biofuels, biopower, bioproducts and biogas in the context of the larger bioeconomy. We are delighted to welcome China as a formal member and look forward to their impactful contributions”.
“I believe that China’s official membership in IEA Bioenergy TCP is a milestone in the development of bioenergy in China”, said Dr. Ren Dongming, Director of CNREC. “This means that the development of China’s bioenergy industry has found the best connection with the global bioenergy industry.
“On the Bioenergy TCP platform, while learning from advanced global models and concepts, China can also share its own experience with international partners, so as to achieve mutual benefits and common development among member countries; as well as to promoting the green and low-carbon transformation process of global energy”.
There’s no beautiful China without biogas
“Bioenergy is a critical aspect of building a beautiful China”, said Dou Kejun, Senior Bioenergy Advisor, CNREC. “China has actively developed biomass resources and issued a series of important policies on biogas, biofuel, biopower and bio-heating in the past two years. This is an important historic moment for China’s bioenergy.
“I think it is the right time to join IEA Bioenergy TCP, which will provide a broad international cooperation and innovation opportunity for China’s bioenergy institutions, effectively develop and utilize biomass resources, strengthen the capacity of bioenergy technology research and development and demonstration, comprehensively optimize the bioenergy industrial policy. It will usher in a new era of bioenergy development in China”.
Further information:
https://www.ieabioenergy.com/
