Xinjiang sees double-digit growth in new energy power generation

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region witnessed double-digit growth in wind and solar power generation during the first four months this year, amid its effort to promote green energy.

Wind and solar power generation in the region reached 12.13 billion kwh and 3.74 billion kWh respectively during the period, up by 12.1 percent and 12.7 percent year on year, according to the local development and reform commission.

The demand for electricity in Xinjiang has increased significantly this year. From January to April, the overall power generation in the region rose by 9.2 percent to 114.04 billion kWh.

The local government has adopted a set of measures to encourage new energy use including further exploring the market potential and increasing the transmission of Xinjiang's electricity to other regions.

According to the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co. Ltd, up to now, the installed capacity of wind power and solar power in Xinjiang are over 19.2 million KW and 9.6 million KW respectively.

The installed capacity of new energy accounts for about one-third of the region's total.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, China has been endeavoring to use more renewable energy to reduce its reliance on coal.