Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Tidal Country Notes

China
The south-eastern coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong Provinces are considered to have substantial potential for tidal energy. China's utilisation of tidal energy with modern technologies began in 1956: several small-scale tidal plants were built for pumping irrigation water. Thereafter tidal energy began to be used for power generation. Starting in 1958, 40 small tidal plants (total capacity 12 kW) were built for the purpose of generating electricity. These were supplemented from around 1980 by much larger stations, of which the 3.2 MW Jiangxia and the 1.3 MW Xingfuyang schemes were the largest. The majority of the early plants have been decommissioned for a variety of reasons, including design faults, incorrect location, etc. Currently there are seven tidal power stations (plus one tide flood station) with a total capacity of 11 MW.

Since the end of the 1970s emphasis has been placed on optimising the operations of existing plants to improve their performance. Additionally, a feasibility study for a 10 MW level intermediate experimental tidal power station has been undertaken.

It was announced in November 2006 that China had signed a joint venture with the Italian engineering company Ponte di Archimede International for the application of its patented Kobold turbine to a site in the Strait of Jintang, in the Zoushan Archipelago.