Beijing powers up green energy transition

Olympic legacy

The legacy of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games also means that energy consumption in the capital will be greener.

Thanks to a grid that transmits solar and wind power from Zhangbei, Hebei province, all the energy demands of the event's venues were supplied via renewable power. The grid, which has the capacity to supply about 10 percent of Beijing's electricity needs, will be used to help power the city.

Green electricity is also expected to be transmitted to Beijing from several nearby regions.

Mu Peng, head of the Beijing Commission of Development and Reform, said the capital established cooperation mechanisms for the development of green electricity with Shanxi province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region last year.

Construction of a new energy development base that will serve Beijing has started in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia's capital, Mu said when he reported to the first session of the 16th Beijing People's Congress on Jan 15.

Meanwhile, when Yin Yong, Beijing's mayor, delivered the city's Government Work Report to the session, he stressed the authorities' determination to make the capital even greener.

"Firmly establishing and practicing the concept that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets', Beijing will make concerted efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth as it strives to make our skies bluer, mountains greener and water more lucid," he said.

As the authorities work to further raise the proportion of renewables in the city's energy consumption mix, they will also beef up efforts to promote a green, low-carbon transformation and upgrading in industrial parks and improve energy conservation in public buildings, he added.

Beijing will also establish an incentive mechanism to encourage voluntary contributions from medium, small and micro businesses and the public to reduce carbon emissions, as the authorities work to establish a favorable pattern for the reduction of carbon emissions that will involve people from all walks of life, he said.