BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's installed wind power capacity that transmits power into the national electricity grid rose 11.81 million kilowatts in the first half of this year, doubling the figure of a year earlier, an industry expert told Xinhua over the weekend.

    Shu Yinbiao, vice general manager of the State Grid Corporation, said the installed wind power capacity soared by 101 percent year on year by the end of June, showing the country's strengthened efforts on using renewable energy.

    Shu suggested mapping out a long-term wind power development plan for the whole country and formulating relevant national technical standards for new energy including wind and solar power to regulate their development.

    China's wind power sector gained momentum in recent years due to the government's supportive policies. Figures showed that the country's installed wind power capacity reached 12 million kilowatts by the end of 2008, ranking the fourth globally trailing the United States, France and Spain.