Chairman Xin Baoan Attends the 26th World Energy Congress and Delivers a Speech

On April 22nd local time, Mr. Xin Baoan, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) and President of China Electricity Council, attended the opening ceremony of the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He delivered a speech at the main forum themed “Closing the Finance and Technology Gap,” where he introduced the practical experience of China’s electric power industry in building a new power system and promoting green and low-carbon energy transformation. He called for joint efforts and cooperation from all parties to advance global energy transformation.

Mr. Xin Baoan pointed out that President Xi Jinping’s commitment to “peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality” to the international community has pressed the “fast forward button” for China’s energy transition. China’s electric power industry adheres to the principles of pursuing cleanliness and low carbon as the direction, ensuring energy supply as the foundation, promoting energy innovation as the driving force, and supporting energy conservation and efficiency improvement. It is accelerating the construction of a new type of power system that is clean, low-carbon, safe, abundant, economically efficient, and coordinated in supply and demand, as well as flexible and intelligent. Plans are underway to construct a new energy system, striving to become a promoter, pioneer, and leader in energy transformation, and has initiated a series of practical initiatives.

Mr. Xin Baoan stated that in the energy production sector, China has vigorously developed new energy sources, promoting a shift in the energy structure from primarily fossil fuels to primarily clean energy. In 2023, China’s new energy installed capacity increased by nearly 300 GW, accounting for about sixty percent of the global increase in new energy installed capacity. It is expected that in 2024, China’s new energy installed capacity will exceed coal-fired power capacity for the first time, making it the largest power source. In the energy transmission sector, China is accelerating the construction of a digitalized smart and strong power grid to enhance the optimization and guarantee capabilities of energy resource allocation. The future of energy transition relies heavily on the robust support of the power grid, which needs to follow a path of digitalization, intelligence, and greenization to construct a new power grid with a more rational structure, greater climate resilience, and stronger security and resilience. In the energy consumption sector, China is continuously improving the overall electrification and energy efficiency levels of society to promote the adoption of green production and lifestyle. Focusing on key areas such as industry, transportation, construction, and residential living, China is implementing measures to replace coal and oil with electricity. Currently, electricity accounts for over 29% of final energy consumption in China, and it is estimated to reach around 34% by 2030.

Mr. Xin Baoan emphasized that driving the global energy transition requires collective efforts and collaborative advancement. In November 2023, China and the United States jointly issued the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, aiming to strive for a threefold increase in global renewable energy installed capacity by 2030. China, through the active development of electric vehicles, is promoting low-carbon transformation in the transportation sector. It has established the world’s largest smart vehicle-to-everything (V2X) platform, serving over 20 million electric vehicles, thus achieving the vision of charging for a better life and empowering a beautiful world.

The World Energy Congress, hosted by the World Energy Council, is the oldest and most prestigious international event in the field of energy. The 26th World Energy Congress was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from April 22nd to 25th, 2024, under the theme “Redesigning Energy for People and Planet.” It attracted nearly 20,000 delegates from around the world in the energy sector to gather and discuss issues related to energy transition, security, accessibility, and sustainability in the current global context.

During the conference, which marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the World Energy Council, Mr. Xin Baoan held talks with Mr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary-General and CEO of the World Energy Council. Both parties expressed their commitment to deepen pragmatic cooperation in event organization, joint research, and other areas, aiming to build a platform for exchanges in the global energy and power industry. They pledged to actively share China’s advanced technologies and experiences in the energy and power sector, and jointly promote the clean and low-carbon transition and interconnection of energy while working together to create a green and sustainable future. Following the talks, Mr. Xin Baoan and Ms. Angela Wilkinson visited the exhibition booths of State Grid Corporation of China, China National Nuclear Corporation, State Energy Group, Huawei, and other enterprises at the World Energy Congress.