Wind power development in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Shanghai, known as the economic, financial and cultural centre of China, lies in the southern portion of the Yangtze River Basin and is the largest and most prosperous city in mainland China. With a high rate of economic and population growth, Shanghai's demand for energy continues to rise. However, Shanghai is a city with a lack of traditional energy resources, and relies heavily on steady supplies of fossil fuels imported from other regions of China. In order to ensure the optimal use of energy resources and limit the environmental impact, the Shanghai government has launched a new energy strategy and is committed to the development of renewable energy, especially wind power. This paper assesses the wind energy resource in Shanghai, reviews the current status of wind power utilisation, and identifies the major challenges facing the development of a robust wind energy industry in this fastest growing city of China.