Top consumers target energy security in China

Dec 16, 2006, 14:26 GMT

Beijing - Energy ministers from five of the world's largest consumers - China, the United States, India, Japan and South Korea - on Saturday discussed ways to increase energy security and efficiency.

'The five major energy-consuming nations will step up dialogue, boost energy efficiency, jointly develop technology and protect the environment,' Ma Kai, China's Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told energy officials from China, the US, India, Japan and South Korea.

'This meeting aims at safeguarding the stable and sustainable development of the global energy and building a new concept of energy security featuring mutual benefit and diversified development,' the government's official Xinhua news agency quoted Ma as saying.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met the US, Indian, Japanese and South Korean ministers, telling them that China sought closer cooperation in 'maintaining the stability and security of international energy supply.'

Wen said China also wanted to cooperate in energy conservation, energy efficiency, alternative energy resources and environmental protection.

China will continue promote the use of wind, solar, biomass and other renewable energy sources, the agency quoted him as saying.

The five nations consume about 45 per cent of global oil.

US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said he planned to discuss ways to ensure 'reliable access to a wide range of forms of energy' for the US.

'We're more worried about access,' Bodman told reporters on Friday. 'China is more concerned about owning energy resources.'

During talks in Beijing on Thursday and Friday, Bodman said he discussed technical cooperation with China in clean energy including clean coal, wind, solar and nuclear power.

US-based Westinghouse on Saturday signed a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply technology for four nuclear plants at two locations in China, the company said.

China's State Nuclear Power Technology Company (SNPTC) agreed in principle to use Westinghouse AP1000 technology for two new nuclear power plants each at the Sanmen and Yangjiang sites, Westinghouse said in a statement.