Recently, in order to prepare for the relevant achievements of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024 in the energy field, as part of the China-AU energy partnershipThe lead preparatory unit, the General Institute of Hydropower and Water Conservancy Planning and DesignPlan and organize a series of seminars in the field of China-Africa clean energy cooperation. During the period, a reporter from Zhonghuan Daily interviewed Gong Heping, vice president of the General Institute of Hydropower and Water Conservancy Planning and Design, on China-Africa clean energy cooperation and promoting local economic and social development.
Expert Profile:Gong Heping is a senior economist and senior engineer. He is currently the Vice President of the General Institute of Hydropower and Water Conservancy Planning and Design, the Vice President of the China Hydropower Engineering Society, the Vice President of the China International Association of Engineering Consultants, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Enterprise Think Tank Alliance.
China Environment News: What are the similarities and differences and characteristics of China and Africa in terms of renewable energy endowments, and in what areas do China and Africa have a broad space for cooperation?
Gong Heping:From the perspective of resource endowment and development, China and Africa are relatively rich in renewable energy resources, but due to their unique natural geographical characteristics, there are obvious differences in resource distribution. By strengthening cooperation, the two sides can effectively complement each other's advantages and jointly promote the development of renewable energy.
In terms of hydropower resources, about 628 million kilowatts of hydropower resources can be developed in Africa, but the utilization rate of hydropower is only 11%. By the end of 2023, Africa had an installed hydropower capacity of 400 million kilowatts, accounting for about 3% of the global total. China's hydropower resources technology can develop an installed capacity of about 687 million kilowatts, and the degree of hydropower development in major river basins exceeds 70%, which is in the leading position in the world. As of 2023, China's installed hydropower capacity is about 420 million kilowatts, accounting for about 30% of the world's total installed capacity.
In terms of wind energy resources, Africa's wind energy resources rank first in the world, with a technology developable scale of more than 56 billion kilowatts, nearly 40% of the global total, and by the end of 2023, Africa's installed wind power capacity is 0.09 billion kilowatts, accounting for less than 1% of the world. China's land capacity of 70 meters above sea level is 5 billion kilowatts, and by the end of 2023, China's cumulative installed wind power capacity will be about 440 million kilowatts, accounting for 43% of the world's total.
In terms of solar energy resources, the developable scale of solar energy resources in Africa is about 1,375 billion kilowatts, exceeding 50% of the global total, and by the end of 2023, Africa's installed solar capacity will be 13 million kilowatts, accounting for less than 1% of the world. China's onshore solar resources have theoretical reserves of 1.86 trillion kilowatts, and in 2023, the installed solar power generation capacity will be about 610 million kilowatts, accounting for about 44% of the world's total installed capacity.
After decades of development, China has entered a relatively mature period of industrialization, and has accumulated rich experience, advanced technology and strong construction capabilities in the whole industrial chain in the field of renewable energy, which can provide technical and product support for Africa. In recent years, China has made significant progress in the R&D and manufacturing of hydropower units, successfully developing large-scale impact runners for 150 MW hydropower units, and the design, manufacturing and installation of large-scale hydropower units have all been 100% localized. Wind power technology is developing rapidly, and in 2023, China announced that the maximum capacity of onshore wind turbines will reach 11 MW, and it has the independent R&D and design capabilities of 18 MW offshore wind turbines with the world's largest single capacity and the largest impeller diameter. Photovoltaic materials are also constantly being introduced, and the power of modules is constantly improving, constantly refreshing the world record of photovoltaic cell conversion efficiency. Africa is in the early stages of industrialization and is in dire need of capital, technology and management experience. Renewable energy cooperation between China and Africa is a strategic cooperation that has mutual needs, advantages and opportunities, and can truly promote win-win cooperation and common development between China and Africa.
China Environment News: Why did "Renewable Energy Help the Sustainable Development of Africa's Mining Industry" as the first topic of the China-Africa Clean Energy Cooperation Seminar Series?
Gong Heping:Africa is rich in mineral resources and is an important resource for Africa's economic and social development. Africa has 20% of the world's critical mineral resources, but its output value only accounts for about 9% of the world's, and the development potential is huge. The development and utilization of minerals can drive industrial clusters, extend the industrial chain, accelerate economic and social development, and provide huge opportunities for local governments, societies and enterprises. However, Africa's power supply is tight, the power grid infrastructure is not perfect, the mining areas are mostly distributed in relatively remote areas, and the energy consumption of development and utilization is large, so the development of African mining should first solve the problem of energy consumption in mining areas.
In the context of global response to climate change and energy transition, the development of energy needs to rely on renewable energy, renewable energy is broad and easy to obtain, the development of modern technology has significantly reduced the development cost of photovoltaic and wind power, and improved the economy, which can effectively empower the development and utilization of mineral resources in Africa. This conference is the first in a series of seminars on China-Africa energy cooperation in 2024, focusing on the cooperation in the field of "further promoting social and environmental sustainable development" of the Egyptian Initiative on Clean Energy to Enhance Electricity Access in Africa, with the theme of "Renewable Energy for the Sustainable Development of African Mining", aiming to explore how to improve the environmental, economic and social benefits of the development and utilization of Africa's mineral resources through renewable energy.
China Environment News: Africa's minerals are known as "green treasures", how much role can renewable energy play in the context of global energy transition?
Gong Heping:Africa has abundant renewable energy resources, with solar, wind and hydropower reserves accounting for 40%, 32% and 12% of the world's total, respectively, and there is great potential for renewable energy development. Tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development is rooted in the 2063 Agenda and is a long-term vision adopted by African leaders through the African Union. African countries are actively promoting the construction of renewable energy projects, and the installed capacity of renewable energy in Africa will be 62 million kilowatts in 2023, an increase of 4.5% over 2022.
Africa is rich in critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel, manganese and graphite. As the world accelerates the pace of green transformation, the demand for critical minerals is increasing. The World Bank predicts that by 2050, the world's demand for critical minerals will surge by up to 500%. This new trend presents a new opportunity for Africa. However, more than half of African countries currently have less than 50% access to electricity, and their electricity infrastructure is relatively weak. By using renewable energy, we can help remote mining areas in Africa obtain energy and provide electricity to surrounding communities while ensuring energy consumption, reduce energy costs in areas with high diesel prices and alleviate operating pressure caused by rising oil prices, and reduce carbon emissions and ESG risks in the mining supply chain.
China Environment News: Please tell us about the future development trend and driving force of renewable energy in the mining industry in Africa.
Gong Heping:Energy is an important infrastructure and industrial base, and the global energy transition will lead to a significant increase in the demand for mineral resources, and mining development needs to find cleaner and more efficient solutions. Most of Africa's mines are located in remote areas, and power supply is difficult, and the power supply in mining areas mainly relies on diesel power generation, which is not only costly, but also has a negative impact on the environment, which is not conducive to carbon reduction and territorial green and sustainable development. Powered by renewable energy is not only environmentally friendly, reduces carbon emissions, but also lowers operating costs. First of all, in mining areas far from the main grid, green power supply can be achieved through renewable energy microgrids, and the problem of power shortage in the surrounding areas can be solved, infrastructure construction can be driven, and local people's livelihood and well-being can be improved. Secondly, in the mining areas covered by the main network, we will increase renewable energy power sources, improve the integration of power grids, improve regional power supply, and improve the quality of power supply from the power grid. In addition, under the condition of ensuring sufficient power supply, the deep processing capacity of African mining resources can be effectively improved, from raw ore mining to mining and processing in parallel, in-depth docking with the needs of upstream and downstream industrial chains, and improving the economic benefits of mining areas.