China calls on local authorities to nurture renewable energy projects

April 27, 2018
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
China’s solar and wind projects have faced heavy curtailments in recent years. Credit: Sunergy

China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) has called on local governments to ease burdens on the renewable energy sector with a range of measures including the “strict implementation” of a guarantee for signing power purchase agreements (PPAs).

NEA’s note, stressing the importance of following the 'Renewable Energy Law', accounted for wind, solar and biomass technologies. Among its orders to provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, it said: “Power grid companies shall promptly accept the applications for [renewable energy] project integration and clearly define the time limit for the provision of grid-connected access plans.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

It alos stated: “The grid company shall sign a grid-connected agreement that complies with national regulations without discriminatory provisions.”

China’s solar and wind projects have faced heavy curtailments in recent years while its deployment continues to boom. To remedy this, NEA has also asked for renewables to be given priority access to the grid.

NEA listed a number of orders to local governments, including:

  • Reducing land costs and unreasonable charges
  • Reducing corporate financing costs through green finance
  • Preventing the correction of arbitrary charges and other acts that increase the burden on the company
  • Strengthening policy implementation and supervision
  • Reducing the logistics costs
  • Regulating the technical standards and their applications
  • Regulating various inspections and charges

China installed a total of 9.65GW of solar PV capacity in the first quarter of 2018, a 22% increase over the prior year period, according to NEA.

Read Next

February 5, 2026
Vietnam is the cheapest country to produce fully domestic solar modules outside of China, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
February 4, 2026
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European energy has gone from an overreliance on Russia to an overreliance on China.
February 4, 2026
US authorities have hit back at a WTO ruling that subsidies for domestically produced solar and other clean energy components discriminate against Chinese firms.
February 3, 2026
The Philippines’ solar and energy storage trade body has warned that diplomatic tensions with China could disrupt the solar industry.
January 29, 2026
The cost of Chinese solar module manufacturing will rise in the first half of 2026, though prices may fall again before the end of the year.
January 29, 2026
PV module defects are increasing as manufacturers struggle to achieve consistent quality through robust bill-of-material and process controls.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA