Wind and solar power made state properties by Chinese province

Exploitation of wind and solar power in China's Heilongjiang province will now require permission from the provincial authorities.

This is after a draft regulation released by the said province makes wind and solar power state properties.  It take effect Aug 1.

The provincial meteorological bureau said the new regulation does not concern individuals but companies.

Private companies in the new energy are concerned that the regulation may make it more difficult to start aproject.

"If the government wants to further develop the sector, it should help to clear the way for companies, instead of setting up new obstacles," a wind turbine company owner said.

Wind power-rich Heilongjiang province will invest over 23 billion yuan or around $3.7 billion this year to develop the sector.

The regulation says that a company must hand over climate data to the authorities. Any violation of the rules could incur a fine of up to 50,000 yuan or around $7,900.

An official said the regulation only aims to standardize new-energy utilization and reduce irregularities in the sector.

Since many new-energy companies are joint ventures, the meteorological bureau needs to have some control over the climate data to avoid it being leaked to foreign countries.

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