Green energy production capacity helps Africa overcome development challenges

As night falls, people in many remote villages in Africa still rely on candles and kerosene lamps for illumination. Even in major African cities with power grids, daily life and work are plagued by frequent power outages. However, with the popularization of affordable Chinese green energy products and technologies among African people, this situation is expected to be significantly improved.

Africa has abundant renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energy. The Sahara Desert provides a large area of sunshine and is an ideal place to promote photovoltaic energy. The long coastline of Africa provides unique conditions for offshore wind energy development. These natural endowments provide possibilities for green solutions for electricity in Africa.

Nowadays, some African villages have established photovoltaic power generation systems, allowing children to read under the lights at night, households to use electricity to cook and boil water, and clinics to take care of patients with simple medical appliances. These projects not only improve the living conditions of local residents, but also inject new vitality into the local economic and social development.

The China aided Mali Solar Energy Demonstration Village project, undertaken by China Geological Engineering Group Co., Ltd., is one example. The project has installed 1195 sets of off grid solar household systems, 200 sets of solar street light systems, 17 sets of solar water pump systems, and 2 sets of centralized solar power supply systems in Marico Nublar Village and Karang Village, providing clean and reliable electricity for tens of thousands of local residents.

In Kenya, the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station constructed by Chinese enterprises is the largest photovoltaic power station in East Africa. It is understood that the installed capacity of the power station is 54.66 megawatts, which can meet the electricity needs of over 380000 people in 70000 households. At present, the power station has been connected to Kenya's national power grid, helping to improve the production and living conditions of people in the northern regions of the country.

（This is a photo taken on December 13, 2019 of the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station in Kenya）

In the past, we often experienced power outages and sometimes had to spend a lot of money using diesel generators to generate electricity, "said Hannington Goch, an expert at Kenya's Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Company. With stable and low-cost electricity, regions such as Garissa can better develop industry and commerce, providing more employment opportunities for local people.

Elizabeth Vanessa, a resident of Garissa County, runs a small restaurant whose stable power supply has extended the restaurant's operating hours from "seven in the morning and six in the evening" to "seven in the morning and ten in the evening". In the past, the meat stored in restaurant refrigerators often deteriorated due to power outages. Since the photovoltaic power plant, we no longer have to worry about power outages. As business hours extended, our income naturally increased, "said Vanessa Ku.

From the Garissa photovoltaic power plant in Kenya to the De Al wind farm in South Africa, over 100 green energy projects under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation have injected vitality into Africa's green transformation.

Zimbabwean economist Brian Mushimwa pointed out that Africa has benefited greatly from China's growing green energy industry, especially affordable green energy products such as solar panels and batteries.

Roda Vajira, an official from the United Nations Environment Programme, stated that cooperation with China enables African countries to access advanced technology and support, which is crucial for the success of their energy transition.

In addition, at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, China and Africa further promoted the promotion of small-scale innovative clean energy projects. This project mainly focuses on small and medium-sized solar energy projects in underdeveloped areas of Africa.

Former Director General of the World Wildlife Fund, Marco Lambertini, believes that small-scale infrastructure such as microgrids can be a viable energy solution for rural areas in Africa and many other remote regions around the world.

（On May 26, 2023, construction workers inspected the power generation facilities at the construction site of the Soxian Geothermal Power Station project located in Nakuru, Kenya）

Many African countries are vigorously promoting green transformation through cooperation with China, prioritizing clean energy, and its success is crucial for achieving global sustainable development.

Yang Baorong, Director and Researcher of the Economic Research Office at the West Asia and Africa Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that China has provided high-quality and affordable green energy technologies and products to Africa, making them affordable for more African people. China Africa cooperation in green energy helps African countries transform their enormous resource potential into real economic growth.

He believes that in the new energy industry, China's industrial advantages and willingness to cooperate will enhance Africa's development level in this field. China is a reliable partner for Africa in pursuing high-quality green energy. Africa and China can work together to overcome the challenges of climate change and move towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and prosperous future