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China centralizes its energy policy

China takes the issue of energy efficiency head on. The central government announced Wednesday the creation of a National Commission of Energy. Its mission: "to strengthen the strategic and policy coordination in the energy field.

This Commission will be chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao and co-chaired by Vice-Premier Li Kegiang. Among the 21 members it will have included several ministers.She will be responsible for developing "a national strategy on energy, key issues relating to security and energy development" for the overall coordination in domestic and international cooperation in this field, explains the central government, in his statement.

A voracious appetite for energy

During a visit to the headquarters of the National Commission of Electricity Regulation in Beijing, January 14, the vice-premier Li Kegiang stressed the need to intensify efforts to ensure security of supply China's energy. The country has experienced sharp drops in temperatures and heavy snowfall this winter, which boosted energy demand and tight supply, said Li Kegiang.

After the winter, the supply remains a critical issue for China.Driven by economic and population growth over the past thirty years, Chinese energy consumption has exploded. China has become the second largest energy consumer in the world behind the United States pay day loans .

The critical issue of supply

Its energy dependence is increasing accordingly. Thus, the country has been dependent to 52% of its crude oil imports in 2009, against 47% in 2006, says AFP. According to Wang Xudong, president of the National Commission of Electricity Regulation, Chinese consumption of electricity could rise by 7% this year if the country maintains its economic growth rate of 8%. Consumption had increased by 6.44% in 2009 compared to 2008, according to figures from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.Coal, however, still represents 70% of the energy consumption of China.

Focus on efficiency of energy policy

For Beijing, centralization is the answer to this challenge of supply. "Energy policy is now conducted by various ministries and local authorities," said Xu Bei, economist at Natixis. "The creation of this new body will respond to an emergency security of energy supply." The main domestic priority.

Ultimately, the Commission could also help Beijing to seal agreements on international cooperation, said He Jun, of Anbound Consulting. Provided that his role is really detached from that of many other government agencies that account China.

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