Li Junfeng, deputy director of the NDRC’s Energy Research Institute said at the The China Energy and Environment Summit that renewable energy would account for 10% of primary energy in 2010. Don’t be too impressed -- that’s up just a tick from 9% now.

Hydropower will account for 8% and wind power for 1%, with other sources (such as biomass) accounting for the rest. (Solar isn’t considered primary since it requires processing into PV cells.)

Li noted that the future concern is an output surplus of renewable energies, resulting from the rapid build-up of capacity in nuclear, wind and solar power. This may be an indicator that China agrees it needs to spin up reams of demand side projects to absorb all the capacity, something both domestic and foreign companies are eagerly hoping for.

He also indicated that reforms are being carried out to transition natural gas pricing to a market-based mechanism, but gave little detail on a firm timeline.