Towards decentralization. Energy planning in Guangdong, PR China

Abstract

Even before the recently announced Chinese decentralization policy, Guangdong Province had been given substantially increased autonomy in international cooperation and financial and investment planning. For the energy sector, where decentralization is only partial, it is shown that constraining factors inhibit full exhaustion of Guangdong's autonomy. Administrative structures and processes have not yet been adapted to the requirements of decentralized planning, especially regarding horizontal communication, information and coordination. Furthermore, coexistence of centralized and decentralized responsibilities reinforces inertial tendencies within provincial institutions. However, scope exists for the Province to utilize its planning autonomy more fully, through realigning structure and processes of provincial energy planning institutions. © 1985.