On April 21, Mr. Liu Zhenya, Chairman of Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), Chairman of China Electricity Council (CEC), Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), International Fellow of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and Member of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (Acatech), attended the “Accelerate Infrastructure Connection to Unleash Development Potentials” Panel of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021. At the panel, Chairman Liu spoke on the topics of accelerating BRI energy interconnection, ETI integration (Energy, Transportation and Information Integration) and CO2 emissions peak and carbon neutrality.
On BRI energy interconnection development, Chairman Liu pointed out that the BRI energy interconnection enjoys bright prospects. Based on the overall plan of GEI featured by “nine horizontal and nine vertical backbone networks,” GEIDCO has proposed the BRI energy interconnection plan covering seven major electricity corridors and 67 key interconnection projects, which will provide important reference and guidance for energy infrastructure connectivity of the BRI. As the core technology of energy interconnection, UHV (ultra-high voltage) technology has solved the problem of ultra-long distance and ultra-large capacity power transmission. At present, China has completed 30 UHV projects including 14 AC projects and 16 DC projects. A network of UHV grids with the largest transmission capacity and the widest allocation scope is taking shape. Hydropower, wind power, solar power and other energy projects in the B&R countries enjoy a competitive edge with huge development potential, which will boost host countries’ economic and social development.
On ETI integration, Chairman Liu emphasized that ETI integration represents an advanced stage of the infrastructure development and can bring new opportunities for the BRI. The term “ETI integration” refers to a transition from relatively independent development of energy, transportation and information networks, to their integrated, shared and coordinated development, thereby optimizing the coordination of energy, personnel/material and information flows, so as to create a comprehensive infrastructure network with greater capabilities in terms of resource allocation, industrial promotion and value creation. It is estimated that more than USD 100 trillion will be invested to upgrade global infrastructure, drive technological innovation and industrial upgrading, reduce costs and improve efficiency through facilities sharing, channel co-construction, data sharing and functional integration, thus injecting new impetus into world economic development.
On CO2 emissions peak and carbon neutrality, Chairman Liu pointed out that reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector is the key to solving the carbon emission problem. Efforts should be made to advance the building of energy interconnection in China and replace fossil fuels with such clean energy as solar, wind, and hydro power on the primary energy side and replace coal, oil and natural gas with electricity on the energy consumption side, thereby putting an end to the reliance on fossil fuels. Looking ahead, energy interconnection will play an instrumental role in China and even the whole world in the process of CO2 emissions peaking and carbon neutrality. Without energy interconnection, having CO2 emissions peak and achieving carbon neutrality will come to a dead end.
On March 18, GEIDCO published three research reports: China's Carbon Neutrality before 2060, China's CO2 Emission Peak before 2030, and China's Energy and Power Development Plan for 2030 and Outlook for 2060, proposing China’s first systematic plan aimed at achieving CO2 emissions peak and carbon neutrality via China’s energy interconnection, providing wisdom and strength for accomplishing the target of carbon emission reduction.
