China gives priority to non-fossil energy development: white paper

China gives priority to non-fossil energy, and strives to substitute low-carbon for high-carbon energy and renewable for fossil energy, according to a white paper released on Dec 21.

The country has been facilitating the use of solar energy, developing wind power, hydropower as well as safe and structured nuclear power while advancing biomass, geothermal and ocean energy development in accordance with local conditions, said the white paper titled "Energy in China's New Era" released by the State Council Information Office.

The country has been increasing the overall utilization rate of renewable energy, with the national average consumption rate of wind power reaching 96 percent, that of solar photovoltaic power hitting 98 percent, and that of water energy in major river basins reaching 96 percent in 2019, the document said.

"The development and utilization of non-fossil energy is a major element of transitioning to a low-carbon and eco-friendly energy system," it said.

While prioritizing non-fossil energy, the country has also been promoting the clean and efficient development and utilization of fossil energy.

Coal remains the basic energy source, the white paper said, adding that the country's annual production of raw coal has ranged between 3.41 billion tons and 3.97 billion tons since 2012.

The country has been facilitating the safe, smart and green utilization of coal. From 2016 to 2019, China cut more than 900 million tonnes of outdated coal production capacity per year on average.

"Green development of the energy sector has played an important role in reducing carbon emissions," the white paper said.

By 2019, carbon emission intensity in China had decreased by 48.1 percent compared with 2005, which exceeded the target of reducing carbon emission intensity by 40 to 45 percent between 2005 and 2020, reversing the trend of rapid carbon dioxide emission growth, it said.