China, currently the second largest consumer of electricity in the world after the US, is expected to play a pivotal role in the development of the global economy in the coming years. Electricity production in China is expected to grow at a rate of 8.5% annually until 2020, with annual electricity consumption reaching approximately 6,500 TWh in 2020. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) the total energy-related investment needed in China will stand at about US$2,765 billion by 2030.