On November 7, GEIDCO released three research results at the 2019 Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) & China-Africa Energy and Power Conference held at the China National Convention Center, namely Study on Hydropower Development and Delivery in Congo River, Research on Africa Energy Interconnection, New Model of “Electricity, Mining, Metallurgy, Manufacturing and Trade” Co-Development for Africa, providing solutions to promote the coordinated development of energy and economic, social and environmental development in Africa.
This is the first time for the international community to carry out planning research on hydropower system development and outbound power transmission in the lower reaches of the Congo River under the framework of African Energy Interconnection. This is also the first time to put forward the construction and development model of major infrastructure and industrial projects in Africa from the perspective of multi-industry linkage.
It is learned that, in light of Africa’s energy and mineral resource endowment and reality, in-depth research on African Energy Interconnection has been carried out by GEIDCO. The three reports put forward the overall three cascade hydropower development and outward transmission plan of in the lower reaches of the Congo River, and explain the new co-development model of “electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and trade” proposed by GEIDCO. The model aims to overcome the difficulty in financing and launching large-scale projects in Africa, and provide research support and comprehensive plan for Africa’s clean energy development and outward transmission, grid interconnection and development and construction of industrial projects.
With the research aim of large-scale development, wide-area allocation and efficient utilization of Congo River hydropower, the Study on Hydropower Development and Delivery in Congo River, analyzes the cascade layout of hydropower and the development plan of hydropower stations in the lower reaches of the Congo River after comprehensively evaluation of Congo River hydropower resources, proposes the power consumption market, power transmission direction and power transmission plan, and carries out project investment estimation and economic analysis. It also puts forward investment and financing models and policy suggestions
According to the Study, the Congo River has a large scale of hydropower, but the power consumption capacity of countries along the river is limited. Therefore, while meeting power demand of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo and neighboring countries in Central Africa, it is necessary to transmit power to load centers in West Africa, southern Africa, East Africa and North Africa, and then to Europe and West Asia, so as to optimize the allocation in the whole Africa and a larger scope.
Based on the development characteristics of Africa’s economic and social environment, clean energy resource endowment and technology development trend, the Research on Africa Energy Interconnection and New Model of “Electricity, Mining, Metallurgy, Manufacturing and Trade” Co-Development for Africa, analyzes the energy demand, power supply and demand and power flow pattern in Africa. It proposes African Energy Interconnection plan and key interconnection project, explains the development idea and comprehensive value of the new co-development model of electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and trade, and analyses the development priorities of Africa as a whole and five key regions of West Africa, southern Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and North Africa under the new co-development model. The report aims to enhance the investment attractiveness of infrastructure and industrial projects in African countries for coordinated and sustainable economic, social and environmental development.
According to the report, the new co-development model of electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and trade is an effective way to realize the implementation of African Energy Interconnection. “Electricity” means taking electric-centric approach to promote the development of clean electricity and power grid interconnection. “Mining”, means promoting the large-scale development and utilization of mineral resources based on the advantages of resources. “Metallurgy” means enhancing the value of minerals to establish a modern metallurgical industry with comparative advantages. “Manufacturing” means accelerating the construction of modern industrial parks to build pillar industries and industries with distinctive advantages. “Trade” means promoting industry with trade and in turn, expanding trade with industry, accelerating the shift of trade in raw materials to trade in manufactured goods, and increasing the scale of international trade, so as to boost Africa’s economy.
The report points out, based on the new co-development model of electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and trade, the construction of five regional economic circles, namely Gulf of Guinea, East Africa, Congo River, southern Africa and Mediterranean Sea, will promote the formation of fast, convenient and safe trade channels between African countries and regions. By then, a number of modern industrial center cities, a number of demonstration industrial parks for mining, metallurgy and processing, and a number of raw material bases and clusters of metallurgical industries and processing and manufacturing industries will be built to comprehensively improve the scale, quality and efficiency of Africa’s economic development.
On November 6, 2019 GEI & China-Africa Energy and Power Conference kicked off in Beijing. On the afternoon of November 7, five thematic forums were held to discuss the topics of investment and financing of African Energy Interconnection, African Energy Interconnection and clean energy development, African Energy Interconnection and regional integration, African Energy Interconnection and co-development of electricity, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and trade, power interconnection, employment and economic prosperity, in a bid to contribute ideas and strength to the development of African Energy Interconnection.
