China's Huaneng Group, the country’s largest generator, has announced plans to invest some $31 billion developing new capacity through to 2010.
While the majority of the investment, which is expected to double the company’s installed capacity, is slated for coal-fired generation a proportion will also be earmarked for new hydro and wind facilities.
The plans to spend as much as yuan 250 billion ($31.4 billion) will add a combined capacity of 50 GW and will increase Beijing-based Huaneng’s capacity to more than 80 GW.
Hydro and wind power are expected to comprise 10 – 15% of the company’s total mainland capacity, including eight hydro stations along the Lancang River in the southwestern Yunnan Province.