Preface

Currently, resources constraints, climate change, environmental pollution and population without access to electricity pose severe challenges to the global sustainable development. To approach these challenges, it is pivotal to comply with the growing trend of the clean, electrified, interconnected and intelligent energy system, quicken the establishment of the cleanness-oriented, electricity-centered, interconnected, co-built and shared modern energy system. Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) refers to the development of a globally interconnected, ubiquitous robust smart grid, supported by backbone UHV grid (channels), and it is a vital platform for worldwide large-scale deployment, transportation and utilization of clean energy. Establishing GEI, and accelerating "two replacements, one increase and one restore" provide an efficient solution for all countries to realize energy system transition.

The Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) aims to promote the establishment of a GEI system to meet the global electricity demand in a clean and green way, to actively build an international platform with co-commerce, co-build, share, win-win principles, and to realize the objectives of GEI and sustainable development. On a basis of deep research in the field of energy and electricity, GEIDCO proposes the global energy interconnection development index (GEIDI) based on the theory of GEI and the comprehensive evaluation methodology, which systematically reflects the development level of the global energy and power system from such three perspectives as Power Interconnection, Green & Low-Carbon and Energy, Economy, Society and Environment Coordination development. The proposed GEIDI provides basic analysis and forward-looking reference for governments, international organizations, enterprises, and institutions to carry out policies making, planning research, and investment consulting.

The "Global Energy Interconnection Development Index 2018" firstly introduces the designing ideas and evaluating methodology of the GEIDI. The regional and national GEIDI ranking and the three subindex rankings are then evaluated and analyzed according to the collected data and analysis regarding to energy, electricity, economy, society, and environment in 140 countries and 10 regions around the world. Finally, a special subject on the GEI development of countries along the Belt and Road is carried out in this report since the Belt and Road Initiative will have an important impact on the global energy system transition.