Abstract
China, despite her billion-plus population and vast geographical coverage, has successfully achieved almost universal electrification (IEA 2009). The purpose of this chapter is to present the Chinese approach to rural electrification and to identify whether China provides lessons for other countries. An extensive literature review forms the basis of this chapter. We find that China followed a more pragmatic approach by combining the top-down approach with bottom-up, local-level solutions. China has also used a phased development process and successfully integrated local resources, village-level development and empowerment, rural income generation and local capacity development. The integrated rural development approach has produced local-level solutions while a strong government commitment and financial support ensured programme delivery. The Chinese model could serve as an inspiration for other developing countries trying to ensure universal electricity access but local adaptation and implementation issues can not be underestimated.
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Notes
- 1.
- 2.
Zhang et al. (2009) provided the relevant data in an appendix. This is not reproduced here.
- 3.
This represents ton coal equivalent. Energy contained in each fuel is converted to that of one ton of coal. This is an imprecise unit but used widely in Chinese statistics.
- 4.
Electricity data is shown in 100 million kWh in the Yearbook. This is equal to 100 GWh or 0.1 TWh.
- 5.
See Luo (2004) for a general discussion on rural energy in China.
- 6.
This is calculated from the data obtained from China Statistical Yearbook (2010).
- 7.
Based on China Statistical Yearbook (2010) data.
- 8.
National Renewable energy laboratory: Renewable energy in China, Brightness Rural electrification program found at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35790.pdf.
- 9.
This is calculated from the China Statistical Yearbook (2010) data.
- 10.
The definition of small hydropower (SHP) has evolved over time—in the 1950s, stations below 500 kW were considered as SHP. In the 1960s, the size increased to up to 3 MW. The size was increased to 12 MW then and now up to 25 MW stations are included as SHP (Hicks 2004). This adds to the data consistency issue as well.
- 11.
A sharp increase in capacity is shown in the diagram since 2007. IEA (2010) also confirms the overall capacity at 51 GW. This change may be due to a change in the definition that increased the size of hydro plants to 50 MW from 25 MW used earlier.
- 12.
See Zhao (2001) for a detailed account of the organisational changes in the energy sector.
- 13.
This is based on Bhattacharyya (2012).
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Acknowledgments
We have benefited from the comments made on an earlier draft by a number of specialists. We are particularly grateful to Prof. Philip Andrews-Speed, Prof. Shi Dan, Dr. Mingying Yang and Dr. Xiaoyi Mu. Usual disclaimers apply.
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Bhattacharyya, S.C., Ohiare, S. (2013). The Chinese Model of Rural Electrification and Electricity Access. In: Bhattacharyya, S. (eds) Rural Electrification Through Decentralised Off-grid Systems in Developing Countries. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4673-5_5
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