CASE STUDY - China’s Energy Demands, Mix And Security

Question 1

Why does China have the energy mix it does?

Answer 1

• China is the ‘workshop of the world’ so the mass manufacturing industry requires lots of electricity supplies
• Rapid urbanisation, personal wealth and growing car ownership

Question 2

What issues does China face with its energy mix?

Answer 2

• China cannot meet the demand with internal fossil fuel supplies so 90% has to be sourced from foreign suppliers
• Due to an excess of electricity supply over local demand, e.g in Mongolia there are large-scale wind and solar projects as well as coal reserves
• The long term HEP programmes present dangers to the environment and infrastructure through flooding, displaces the population, causes pollution to reservoirs and increases vulnerability to earthquakes and landslides.

Question 3

Describe China’s energy demands, mix and security

Answer 3

• China is the world’s biggest producer and consumer of energy
• China is the world’s top consumer and producer of coal. 54% of all coal worldwide is consumed in China
• China is the worlds largest net importer of oil
• By 2030, China is expected to account for 40% of the world’s total energy consumption

Question 4

Give 3 facts about solar energy in China