On September 5th, People’s Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Chinese Academy of Engineering held a forum on research and development of clean energy to explore more potential in Tibet.

During the “12th Five-Year Plan”(2011-2015), Tibet’s power generation capacity has improved. For the first time, power generated in Tibet was transmitted outside the area. There is accelerated building of power grids, and both the Qinghai-Tibet Power Grid and the Sichuan-Tibet Power Grid have finished construction and are in operation. Tibet’s structure of energy consumption is constantly optimized.

Losang Jamcan, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, spoke at the forum. He said that the acceleration of clean energy development is related to China’s national energy strategic initiatives and strategic adjustments in the national energy supply. It also helps to build the energy foundation for developing Tibet’s economic society and relates to the development and stability of ethnic communities in border areas.

In June of 2016, Nur Bekri, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission and Director of the National Energy Administration, said in Lhasa, during the “13th Five-Year Plan”(2016-2020), China would continue to promote the R&D of clean energy in Tibet and support Tibet in creating a national demo zone for clean energy.

With ecology as a priority, Tibet will promote internal needs of water and power programs to ensure local supply and security.

Meanwhile, all kinds of solar power development will be encouraged; while ensuring the safe operation of power and not abandoning the PV power supply, there will be no construction limits to PV power stations in Tibet.

In addition, businesses with enough strength will be encouraged to develop the rich geothermal resources in Tibet as appropriate to the area.