Household biogas development in rural China: On policy support and other macro sustainable conditions

Abstract

As a fuel, rural biogas is a promising renewable energy source. Policy support is a key initial impetus for industry development. This study explores household biogas development in rural China based on policy support found in literature. Relevant policies, which mainly include directive and guiding policies, economic inspiring policies, research policies, market policies, and other constructive policies, are gradually issued. Moreover, the National People's Congress has enacted five relevant laws, including the Agricultural Law, Renewable Energy Law, Animal Husbandry Law, Energy Conservation Law, and the Act on the Development of Circular Economy. The Energy Law is currently under revision. Relational rules and regulations have also been formed in response to the national policies and laws, which have already produced significant effects. The development of rural household biogas in China is growing steadily, and the technology standard projects have been established. The number of household biogas digesters and biogas annual output in 2010 was double of that in 2005. The offered financial incentive increased from 47 million dollars in 2002 to 760 million dollars in 2011. Policy supports play an important role in rural biogas development. And thus, additional national policy supports are necessary in the fields of scientific research, technological development, and biogas use model.