These can be achieved easily through regulatory mechanisms. China is well placed to implement many of these, and is already doing so on things like lighting. A number of these such as high building standards have higher initial costs however, and these have not yet been taken up properly, and may yet be resisted by interests such as building developers. A strong centralised mandate on efficiency would do wonders.

Following your last paragraph, I believe it is imperative we look at ways to reduce the demand side. If you look at recent trends, the global economy fallout has effectively changed the demand curve for plants to the point that the central gov’t is now comfortable shutting down small mines and plants.

Imagine if China, which has done a great job of urban planning, were to force a Gold LEED standard on all new buildings and invest in retrofitting old buildings to reduce the energy needed/ wasted by China’s built environment (estimated to be 70% of China’s energy demand).

For me, this is where we need more focus and investmet. Coal plants can be offset by nuke, wind, and solar on a percentage basis, but if the total demand keeps increasing it will not actually reduce the amount of coal used on a real basis.

Which is what is really needed.

r
http://www.cleanergreenerchina.com