Wind giant China is world's biggest energy consumer

CHINA: China, the world's second biggest wind power provider, has overtaken the US as the world's largest energy user, according to the International Energy Agency.

22 July 2010

The Jiuquan wind power base, located in north west China’s Gansu Province
The country’s rise to the top was aided by the fact that it was much less affected by the global financial crisis.

The report said that prospects for future growth in China remain "incredibly strong" due to the country’s low per-capita consumption and the fact it is the most populous nation on the planet.~

China’s energy demand has doubled since 2000, but on a per capita basis it is still only ranks at around one-third of the OECD average.

The country has become one of the world’s leaders in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar energy.

In July, China boasted 25,805MW of operating wind power capacity, behind the US, which is on 36,220MW.