China's Renewable Energy Law and its impact on renewable power in China: Progress, challenges and recommendations for improving implementation

Beginning in 2006, China experienced a rapid growth in its renewable energy resources, particularly wind power, placing it among the world's leading countries in terms of renewable energy installation and generation. This growth was greatly enabled by the renewable energy policy framework created by its landmark Renewable Energy Law, passed in 2005 and amended in 2009, which established key policies including: national renewable energy targets; a mandatory connection and purchase policy; a national feed-in tariff system; and arrangements for cost-sharing and funding of renewable energy incentives. This paper describes the mechanisms established by the Renewable Energy Law and its implementing regulations, as well as the challenges China continues to face in improving its renewable energy policy framework to improve integration and utilization of renewable energy sources. It also provides a comparison of the Chinese renewable energy policy framework with those in the European Union and United States. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for improving implementation of the Renewable Energy Law, with regard to implementing a renewable power quota system and priority dispatch policy, developing technical standards for connection of renewable resources with the grid, development of a more advanced feed-in tariff system, and central-local coordination of renewable energy development.