Thomas L. Friedman's recent article in the NY Times lionising the CEO of Suntech Power [TimesSelect subscription required] was a wake-up call to America to the potential of Chinese alternative energy companies. China — the most population rich country in the world — is energy poor and it wants to catch up — fast. Other than dirty coal, China has next to no natural resources. And this nation of 1.3 billion people is going to require vast amounts of oil to fuel its vehicles and huge increases in electricity generation to power its new industries. It is my view that over the next 25 years, it just can't all be done without a substantial input of clean alternative energy.

Fifteen years ago, the streets of China's cities were empty — bar the constant stream of bicycles. Today there are 30 million motor vehicles. Yet they only contribute to consuming just four percent of the world's daily oil output. By 2020, China's roads are forecast to be holding a staggering 140 million vehicles — a nearly fivefold increase — but still only 11% of world oil demand, and this with a fifth of the world's population.