Countries covered: China
China’s power sector experienced accelerated growth after the mid - 1980s, with surging demand for electricity boosted by increased investment and residential consumption, both associated with market reforms. In the late 1990s, however, a temporary power oversupply was witnessed. It was mainly caused by the government’s efforts to restructure its numerous State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), in which many big enterprises were closed. The 1997/1998 Asian financial crisis also worsened the situation. The growth pace of the power sector was therefore impeded. Foreign funded power plants faced increasing pressure to reduce prices and were asked to renegotiate their Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs). As a result, many foreign investors either substantially scaled back operations or avoided new exposure.
So this report faces a challenge from prospective investors: why should we invest in China’s power sector while others failed before? The answer is very simple: things have changed and one cannot afford to ignore this huge market. After entry to WTO in late 2001, China has increasingly become a workshop for the entire world. Foreign direct investment (FDI) surged to USD52.7 billion in 2002, and China is expected to replace the US as the world’s No.1 FDI recipient.
At the same time, the expansion of the power sector has lagged. Thus the sustainability of the state economy is under threat. In order to overcome the energy constraint, hefty investment will be needed. According to a two year research made by the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly USD2000 billion investment will be required in the period 2001-2030. This provides new opportunities to foreign investors.
China’s power sector is undergoing a deregulation process aimed at breaking up the monopolistic status of the former State Power Company. This is a very complicated process, and foreign investors might be vulnerable to some problems. This report strives to provide a comprehensive overview of China’s power sector, and identify opportunities and pitfalls for prospective investors.
This report is divided into three parts. In part one, an overall introduction to power sector and a detailed description of the deregulation process are carried out, through which investors can have a good understanding of the investment climate in this sector. The second part provides a thorough analysis of the relationship between demand and supply in power sector, both at the industry sector and regional level. Investors can therefore spot their ideal investment regions and favorite techniques. A projection of the demand of electricity consumption in the future is also carried out in this part, which also indicates a huge investment requirement. All data provided are most updated (including data as recent as September 2003). In the third part, an introduction to the major players is provided.
Indeed, over 40 listed companies in the power sector are analyzed, which can serve as a reference for prospective investors.
Related Reports: Plunkett's Energy Industry Almanac 2010
Energy Management Systems for Commercial Buildings - Energy Efficiency, Commercial Demand Response, and Advanced Building Management Systems
New Generation Projects Global Database Ed 9 2009
Snapshots Bulgaria Electricity 2009
Snapshots Turkey Electricity 2009
Snapshots United Arab Emirates Electricity 2009
Global Electricity
Electricity in Asia-Pacific
Electricity in Belgium
Electricity in Canada
|