The vast land of the African continent, with its hot sunshine, strong winds and rushing rivers, contains endless energy treasures. In this promising land, China-Africa energy cooperation is in full swing, injecting green power for the sustainable development of both sides.

“South Africa's national power company is now actively adapting to market changes, and constantly enhance competitiveness. In particular, cooperation with China in recent years has not only brought financial support, but also technology and experience sharing, helping South Africa's infrastructure construction and economic stability.” Dan Mallorcani, president of South African Power Corporation, introduced that the company has established cooperative relationships with Chinese companies to jointly promote the application of local smart grid technology. These collaborations have helped South Africa realize its energy transition, reduce carbon emissions, and support the local government in fulfilling its commitments under the Paris Agreement. In the field of energy cooperation, Africa can better address the energy challenges it faces only through partnerships and the joint development of green energy such as photovoltaic and wind power, where the two sides have made positive progress, Mallorcani said.

In September 2023, in order to implement the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation to Address Climate Change, China announced the implementation of the “African Light Belt” project at the first African Climate Summit, aiming to promote exchange and dialog on climate and photovoltaic (PV) development through the construction of “PV+” projects, By cooperating in the construction of the “PV+” project, promoting exchange and dialog on climate and PV development, carrying out research on PV strategic planning and supporting policies, and implementing capacity building projects, the project aims to solve the problem of electricity and lighting for at least 50,000 poor families without electricity in Africa, and at the same time promote the green and low-carbon development of the energy sector.

“The cooperation between China and Africa in the field of solar photovoltaic has become increasingly close, and many Chinese enterprises have come to Africa with advanced technology and experience to help us build photovoltaic power stations and promote solar products. These projects have not only eased our power shortage, but also created a large number of local jobs and boosted economic development. For example, in Zambia and Mozambique, the construction and operation of photovoltaic power plants have provided local residents with a stable power supply and improved their living conditions.” Sixtus Mulenga, founder and executive chairman of Zambia's Musam Resource Development Company, said in an interview with China Trade News that with technological advances, the efficiency of solar energy equipment continues to improve and costs continue to fall, which makes it affordable for more regions and populations.

The reporter noted that solar energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy source in Africa, and has also become an important area of China-Africa clean energy cooperation. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Africa's installed solar capacity realized an average annual growth rate of 54% between 2011 and 2020.

China-Africa energy cooperation is visible and tangible, the way of cooperation from “teach a man to fish” to “teach a man to fish”. The reporter learned in the interview, in China-Africa energy cooperation, Chinese enterprises not only bring the capital and technology, but also focus on the training of local technical personnel and the enhancement of innovation capacity. Taking the South African De'a wind power project as an example, the project was constructed by Chinese enterprises and connected to the grid in 2017, with a total installed capacity of 244,500 kilowatts. After the project landed, it not only effectively alleviated the shortage of power supply in South Africa, but also created more than 700 local employment opportunities. Chinese enterprises have cultivated a large number of technical talents for the local energy industry by setting up scholarships and carrying out skills training.

In Kenya, the largest photovoltaic power station in East Africa constructed by China - Garissa 50 MW photovoltaic power station has been officially put into operation, which meets the electricity needs of 70,000 households totaling more than 380,000 people; in Rwanda, the Nabarongo River No. 2 hydroelectric power station project is under construction, and this large-scale multi-functional comprehensive water conservancy and hydropower development project will greatly alleviate the country's power shortage situation. The project will greatly alleviate the country's power shortages and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources; in Angola, the construction of the Kaikai hydroelectric power plant built by China Energy Construction is in full swing, and is expected to meet more than 40% of the country's electricity needs after completion. ......

According to the information released by the National Energy Administration, technologically advanced and environmentally friendly China-Africa energy cooperation projects have spread over more than 40 countries and regions in Africa, involving photovoltaic, wind power, hydropower, biomass and other fields, effectively promoting Africa's energy transformation while enhancing its power supply capacity.

“Chinese friends in the past for us to bring energy technology and equipment to help Africa to solve the urgent energy needs, and now, this cooperation is more in-depth and comprehensive, Chinese enterprises in Africa not only share technology, but also committed to training our local talent, so that we master independent research and development and operation and maintenance capabilities, and truly realize the transformation from external support to independent development. We look forward to the cooperation between the two sides to inject lasting momentum into the green energy business in Africa and realize win-win development.” Founder and CEO, 3A Energy Services Ltd. Arden Amos said.