Cooperation between China and Africa has seen remarkable progress in renewable energy, showing the determination of developing countries to harness the huge potential of clean energy and combat climate change.
Seyni Nafo, Acting Head of the Independent Delivery Unit with the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), said that Africa had the highest potential for renewable energy, but the least access to it.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Thursday by AREI and China-Africa Renewable Energy Cooperation and Innovation Alliance, both sides will cooperate in renewable energy generation in Africa, with Chinese smart grid providers and core renewable energy manufacturers providing technological and financial support.
Pilot projects include helping build micro-grids in some African households and villages, in combination with large-scale power construction.
As part of China's technology transfer efforts advocated by the United Nations Development Program, the move is expected to better deploy and distribute renewable energy technology in Africa.
The MOU indicates a shared vision to combat climate change and to promote sustainable development, as renewable energy is expected to function as a central pillar of China-Africa cooperation on climate issues, Nafo said.
The majority of developing countries now have climate policies. The biggest challenge they face is mobilizing adequate resources to support the implementation of their climate strategies, Nafo said.
The MOU would deepen China-Africa cooperation in many areas from capacity building, technology domestication to the integration of climate change into national development processes.
