electra-supply.comIn the Benban photovoltaic industrial park located in Egypt’s Aswan Province, rows of solar panels transform abundant sunlight into valuable electricity essential for the local community’s daily life. This clean energy center, developed through cooperation between China and Egypt, boasts 32 operational power plants. According to statistics, this industrial park is set to significantly increase Egypt’s use of renewable energy, projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by two million tons annually.
The Benban solar park symbolizes the collaborative efforts of China and other BRICS nations to promote green and low-carbon development. In recent years, these countries have been actively working towards a green energy transition, deepening technological exchanges and cooperation in green tech, turning numerous “green visions” into reality, and providing vital support for global green development.
The focus on green energy collaboration is deepening. In the town of Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province, South Africa, abundant sunshine and open land house the country’s largest renewable energy project—the Redstone concentrated solar power plant. This facility, resembling a giant sunflower, harnesses solar energy and heat.
In mid-September, the project, undertaken by a Chinese company, successfully connected to the grid, marking a critical milestone in its construction. Once fully operational, the plant will contribute approximately 480 GWh of clean electricity to South Africa’s grid every year, meeting the energy needs of over 200,000 households and alleviating local energy shortages while reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
In Brazil’s northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, lies the small town of João Câmara, home to a renewable energy oasis—the Gamelera wind power project constructed by China’s State Grid. This project supplies around 360 million kWh of clean electricity annually, equivalent to saving approximately 12,960 tons of standard coal and reducing CO2 emissions by about 358,900 tons, while also creating over 2,000 jobs for the local community.
In recent years, BRICS nations have actively engaged in green energy cooperation, capitalizing on each country’s unique renewable resources like solar and wind energy. They are facilitating the implementation of clean energy projects, injecting “green power” into development and improving living standards.
China continues to drive its energy transition, effectively lowering the technological costs for clean energy collaboration among BRICS countries. The nation has accelerated the establishment of a clean, low-carbon, efficient, and safe energy system, focusing on coordinated pollution reduction and carbon emissions governance, yielding significant results. Currently, China oversees the world’s largest carbon emissions trading market, covering over five billion tons of CO2 emissions annually, while robustly advancing renewable energy development, with hydropower, solar, and wind power installations leading globally.
The cooperation among BRICS nations in energy transformation and green initiatives has tightened, leading to numerous exemplary collaborative projects. Initiatives such as the solar public health project in Ethiopia and the Belo 96 subway project in Brazil showcase the growing cooperation. At the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Forum held in Xiamen, Fujian Province in September, a collection of typical industrial cooperation cases was released, illustrating the achievements in energy transformation and green development. Additionally, the “New Industrialization International Cooperation Initiative” was announced, proposing practical collaborations in photovoltaic, wind power equipment, and new energy vehicles to accelerate the green transformation of industries.
“Cooperating with China allows African nations to not only tap into their rich renewable energy resources but also learn from China’s robust clean energy development experience,” said Konstantinos Belhuetesfa, a professor at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.
Foneka April, coordinator at the BRICS Research Center of the South African Humanities Research Council, emphasized the importance of BRICS countries strengthening collaboration in green energy development and technological innovation for both national and global sustainable development. She urged nations to work together in promoting innovations in new energy fields, striving for green development to collectively create a cleaner and more beautiful world.
As global climate change challenges intensify, developing countries find themselves as the most affected by these issues. BRICS nations demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing climate change, displaying concern for humanity’s collective future.
China has made a solemn commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, with other BRICS nations also announcing respective measures to combat climate change.
Through collaboration, BRICS nations have initiated “BRICS Cooperation” to tackle climate change. In August, a high-level dialogue on climate change was held in Moscow, unifying BRICS countries around the goals and principles outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. In July, the 14th BRICS Ministerial Meeting solidified a joint communiqué, emphasizing the rejection of unilateralism and green protectionism, while all parties agreed on strengthening green technology exchanges and collaborating on green product standards.
This September, the New Development Bank, along with nine other multilateral development banks, announced financing support of $125 billion for global climate action in 2023. In its newly published second five-year strategy (2022-2026), the Bank committed to providing $30 billion for member countries, with 40% dedicated to climate mitigation projects, continuing support for traditional infrastructure, and enhancing investment in disaster-resilient and inclusive development projects.
Andrei Gubin, an associate professor of international relations at Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University, believes that engaging in dialogue with more emerging market countries and developing nations will foster broader international cooperation and address issues like development imbalance and climate change.
Paula Bueno, a researcher at the BRICS Research Center at the University of São Paulo, highlighted the urgency of international cooperation in tackling global challenges like climate change. She urged BRICS nations to enhance their collaboration, uphold multilateralism, and improve the global governance system to contribute more to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
In the desert just 50 kilometers east of Cairo, a modern city is rapidly emerging, including the Central Business District project constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation’s Egypt branch. This project aligns with green and energy-efficient principles, incorporating multiple measures in planning, design, and construction, positively contributing to green development.
Mohamed Hamdi Salama, a mechanical engineer at the project site, views China’s emphasis on ecological protection alongside economic development as a source of valuable experience. The Egyptian branch of the China State Construction Company adheres to sustainable development principles through material selection and the application of new technologies, allowing Egypt to benefit significantly.
In De Aar, Northern Cape Province, 28-year-old South African youth Dawsen Basson enthusiastically commutes to work at the De Aar wind power project’s substation every morning. Constructed and operated by a Chinese company, this project feeds approximately 760 million kWh of clean electricity into South Africa’s grid annually and has created over 700 local jobs. Additionally, Chinese enterprises have established scholarships and training programs to cultivate talent in the local energy sector.
Basson is one of the young individuals who received funding and training, officially joining the wind project’s operations and maintenance team after graduating from university. Now, he serves as a role model for local youth, expressing, “I hope more young South Africans will learn and gain knowledge and experience in the wind energy sector, contributing to the development of our country’s clean energy industry.”
Seeking to learn advanced techniques in combating desertification, Ren Zelin traveled from his hometown of Tehran, Iran, to study in Gansu Province, China, in 2018. He remarked that China is at the forefront of sand prevention technologies and generously shares its experiences with other nations. His greatest dream is to transfer Chinese knowledge to Iran and other countries afflicted by desertification, leaving a green footprint across the globe.
“China has become a pivotal force in the BRICS cooperation mechanism due to its remarkable development achievements and extensive governance experience,” stated Hassan Rajab, a professor at Suez Canal University and head of the Confucius Institute there. He stressed that under the BRICS mechanism, China actively shares its successful experiences in innovation, technology, and sustainable development, providing valuable lessons for other countries. Particularly in addressing global challenges, China presents effective solutions that showcase its responsibility as a major power.
