China wants to learn even more from Danish district heating knowledge

China, the world’s most energy-consuming country, wants to draw on the Danish experience and expertise in energy efficiency – such as district heating. Denmark and China just signed a new cooperation agreement on energy. At the same time two existing cooperation agreements with Chinese regulators have been extended. This was stated by the Danish Minister for Climate , Energy and Building Department.

In the presence of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Danish Ambassador to China Friis Arne Petersen, Thursday evening April 24, 2014 signed a new cooperation agreement between the Danish Energy Agency and the National Centre for Energy Efficiency in China.

“China is the world’s largest energy consumer and CO2 emitter, and there is great potential for reducing both energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In Denmark we have several decades of experience in increasing energy efficiency – both in industry and in building construction. We have shown that we can ensure both economic growth and sustainable energy development at the same time,” says Climate, Energy and Building Minister Rasmus Helveg Petersen.

There is great need for energy efficiency in China. According to the International Energy Agency the saving potential in China in 2035 is estimated to 25 percent of the energy consumption. The focus in the new agreement will also be to utilize the heat from the heavy industry. Through the district heating system, the excess heat ican be used to heat homes. A concrete Danish model project in Anshan may serve as an example for other parts of China.

Source: The Danish District Heating Association / The Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Building