83 small coal power plants shut down

CHINA closed 83 small coal-fired generators with an aggregate capacity of 4.7 million kilowatts during the first three and half months of this year, Xinhua News Agency reported Friday, quoting the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC.

Zhao Yinong, an official with the State Energy Administration under the NDRC, said the closed capacity accounted for 36 percent of the 13 million-kilowatt target set this year to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The closures would help China save 7.1 million tons of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 14.2 million tons annually, since the closed capacity would be replaced by larger, more efficient plants, Xinhua reported.

Airbus to set up joint venture in China

EUROPEAN plane maker Airbus expects to launch a joint venture in China to make aircraft components, as part of its efforts to carve a larger slice of the world’s fastest growing aircraft market.

China’s booming aviation industry will generate a huge demand for aircraft in the coming 20 years, says Airbus. The company is studying the possibility of setting up the venture with AVIC II (China Aviation Industry Corporation II) and expect to finalize the deal as early as August, Laurence Barron, president of Airbus China was quoted by the China Daily as saying last week. But he declined to elaborate.