Controversial hydro development in frame for China's new five-year plan

The paper said a draft of the plan, which covers the 2011-2016 period, has been submitted to other government departments for consultation. In order to raise the proportion of renewables in the country's primary energy mix to 15 percent by 2020, the commission has also proposed boosting wind power capacity by 90-GW and a five-fold increase in solar photovoltaic capacity to 5-GW by the end of 2016.

The draft five-year energy plan also includes a commitment to accelerate dam-building on the Jinsha River, the upstream section of the Yangtze, also situated in Yunnan. A previous proposal to dam the Nu River was shelved following the intervention of Premier Wen Jiabao.

The wind target will be met in part by the construction of seven 10 GW off-shore wind power projects, five of which are expected to be completed before 2016. The country's current wind capacity is about 40GW.

As part of the plan to increase the use of renewable energy, the commission is recommending the implementation of a quota system that forces local grids to buy a certain proportion of their electricity from clean energy sources. The draft plan also include policies to construct grids capable of delivering renewable power to customers.

China's 12th Five Year Plan is expected to be completed and published in March 2011.