Speaking at a seminar on China's circular economy,
Tian Maijiu, deputy director of the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal
People's Congress, revealed that Olympic venues and facilities would make full
use of new energy sources.
Wind power will generate 20 per cent of the electricity supply for Olympic
venues in 2008, while terrestrial heat and hot pump technology will provide
central heating and air conditioning for an area of 400,000 square metres.
Between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the street lamps will use solar power,
which will also heat 90 per cent of bathing water, according to Tian.
"Beijing is aware of the environmental and economic benefits of new and
renewable energy, and has already mapped out related development plans," Tian
said.
Solar power, biomass and wind power development will be the three main
projects in the city's rural ecological park, Tian said.
Further to this, the city will build a series of large recycling projects to
upgrade the capital's energy saving and environmental protection capability.
Two large refuse incineration plants, two comprehensive refuse-processing
plants and one disposal centre for dangerous wastes are under construction.
By burning refuse, the two incineration plants will process about 600,000
tons a year and generate 250 million kilowatts a year.
The two comprehensive refuse-processing plants will be model projects to
demonstrate the benefits of processing refuse, such as the production of methane
gas.
The disposal centre for dangerous waste such as chemicals and radioactive
materials, will be able to handle 85,000 tons of waste through recycling,
burning and burial.
The city also plans a project to recycle 1.2 million obsolete and old
electrical household appliances in a year, said Tian.
"Once completed, these projects will surely give a push to Beijing's plan to
build a circular economy," he said.
Tian said that the municipal government would give full support to key
projects, by offering direct investment or interest-free
loans.
