BEIJING, Nov 7: China said on Monday it would spend about $180 billion over the next 15 years to increase its use of renewable energy to 15 per cent of the total generated, from the current seven per cent.

Zhang Guobao, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), revealed the plan at an international conference on renewable energy in Beijing, the state news agency reported.

“Renewable energy, including solar, wind power and hydropower, will contribute to better energy security in China,” said Zhang.

“It also delivers substantial economic and environmental results, alleviating poverty.”

In the coming 15 years China will develop biomass energy, which stems from plant and animal matter, and hopes to replace ten million tons of petroleum with renewable energy annually, Zhang said.

China also plans to expand the heat collection area of solar heaters to 300 million cubic meters by 2020, replacing the use of about 40 million tons of standard coal each year.

In a speech at the conference, Chinese President Hu Jintao called on the international community to improve cooperation in research and development, transfer of technology and funding to promote the use of renewable resources, Xinhua news agency said.

“China attaches great importance to the utilization of renewable resources, making it one of the important moves to promote economic and social development,” Hu said.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan told the conference China will make better use of its water resources, build wind power plants capable of generating a million kilowatts each and use more solar energy and methane in rural areas.

Zeng called on developed countries and international organizations to honour their commitments made in 2004 in Bonn, Germany, to offer assistance to developing countries for the use of renewable energy, including funding, technology, expertise and management.—AFP