In the face of climate change and fuel shortages, low-carbon and sustainable development have become the consensus of the international community.
Mr Pang Xinxing, Vice President of the China – EU Association and Chairman of StarTimes Group, has said Africa has superior innate conditions for green energy development, but the current potential is under-explored and there is great potential for the future.
“Apart from hydropower, renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal energy only accounts for less than 4% of Africa’s total current power generation.”
Mr Pang was speaking during a forum recently in Zhejiang’s capital city of Hangzhou, on the development of green energy among representatives from China, Europe and Africa.
The forum was hosted by the China – EU Association and the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and organised by Hangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the COMMONWEAI Foundation of China and StarTimes Group. The forum took a hybrid of online and offline formats.
Over 100 experts, dignitaries and intellectuals from China, Europe, and Africa, gathered in the eastern Chinese city to discuss the potential roadmap for tackling climate change, green finance, and carbon neutrality.
South African Ambassador to China, Siyabonga C. Cwele, said: “We have got a large amount of platinum. Platinum is key in green hydrogen. Green hydrogen complements the solar and wind. They increase the penetration, particularly in far-flung areas and rural areas. So those are the things we hope that companies shared, who have got affordable modern technologies, can cooperate with our countries in Africa, not only in South Africa but all the countries in Africa so that we can also be involved in this energy transition.”
Governments have also been collaborating with the private sector, as energy-intensive enterprises will have an impact on transition efforts.
German engineering and tech company Bosch says it has a goal to build 4,000 hydrogen refilling stations by 2030.
Some companies at the event also showcased their latest projects, such as a fishing-solar complementary power project and integrated photovoltaic as a one-stop solution for residential rooftops.
