CHINA OFFSHORE OIL TRIES OFFSHORE WIND

China’s 9-10% growth rate in recent years has been hampered by energy shortages. Hard to imagine what they would be doing if they had all the energy they wanted (like the US did in the last century).

CNOOC to build offshore wind power plant
October 17, 2007 (AFP via Yahoo News)

WHO
China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) (Fu Chengyu ,General Manager)

WHAT
CNOOC will develop an offshore wind “power plant.”

The oil-rich in Bohai Basin, at the center of which is the oil-rich Bohai Bay where the off shore wind "power plant" will be installed. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
Fu was vague on details, including when the wind energy would be online.

WHERE
Fu did specify the wind energy “power plant” would be in Bohai Bay, 37 miles off China’s northern coast where CNOOC and other oil companies have much experience with offshore oil drilling.

China is also developing onshore wind energy, for obvious reasons. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- Fu described the “power plant” as having a capacity of 1500 kilowatts. That is about the size of one of the most standard wind turbines presently in use, suggesting this “power plant” is actually a trial development by CNOOC.
- At the recent Communist Party conclave, Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized his country’s interest in developing renewable energy sources.

QUOTES
Fu Chengyu: "The national development mode decides the development of our company…"