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revealed the nation had added 18.7 GW of Renewable Energy Outlook envisages 119 The third phase will focus on developing
solar to the end of September. GW of new solar per year to 2030 and 150 the renewable energy sector as well as
Trade body the China Photovoltaic GW annually during 2031-35. further sustainable and cost-effective energy
Industry Association has denied a report it production.
has revised down its expectations for the year Siemens Energy will also collaborate
from 35-45 GW to 35-40 GW, although the with the government to develop training
AECEA expectation ties in with the lower RENEWABLES and vocational programmes for the people
figure. The NEA said 10.04 GW of the new of Afghanistan, supporting the creation of a
capacity came in the form of utility scale Siemens Energy to build skilled and competitive local workforce for the
projects, with residential arrays amounting development of infrastructure and industries.
to 5.27 GW and commercial and industrial Afghan energy hub Currently, parts of Afghanistan’s electricity
systems contributing 3.39 GW. grid network are fragmented and supplied
With preparations well under way for Siemens Energy has signed a multi-phase as passive islands with power fed from
China’s next five-year plan – which the agreement with Afghanistan to establish the neighbouring countries.
AECEA expects to be unveiled in March – the country as an energy hub in central Asia Only around 28% of the 37 million people
analyst has speculated three important clean by developing a modern, sustainable and living in the country have access to electricity.
energy targets could be revised. With the cost-effective power system that incorporates Siemens Energy chief executive Christian
nation aiming for 20% of its primary energy renewable energy generation. Bruch said: “The development of this plan will
consumption to come from renewables by The agreement builds on a memorandum provide long lasting benefits in Afghanistan
2030, and having already reached 15.3% last of understanding that Siemens signed with which will be felt for generations to come.
year, officials could add a 2025 target of 18- the government of Afghanistan in January “The electrification of Afghanistan will be
19%, according to the analyst. 2019, to support the country’s sustainable done sustainably and efficiently, turning the
Clean energy supplied 28% of total development. nation into a beacon for energy advancement
generation last year, and could be the subject The three-phased plan will see Siemens and transforming the country into a regional
of a new, 32% target for 2025; and non-hydro Energy support Afghanistan’s power sector by energy hub.
renewables, which generated 10.2% of China’s developing a reliable and affordable electricity “This project is symbolic of Siemens
electricity last year, could be set an 18.9% supply, while addressing the efficient use of Energy’s goals; to take a holistic approach
ambition for 2025. natural resources, to improve revenue streams to energising society, in an efficient, cost-
The AECEA reports various institutions back to the government. effective and decarbonizing way.”
have been tasked with estimating how much The first phase will focus on establishing
extra solar would be required annually to hit the commercial and technical feasibility, with
such targets, with estimates ranging from 47- the second stage addressing grid expansion
64 GW, and even as high as 81 GW per year. and stabilisation by completing a national
Such returns could see China hosting 480-560 grid with international connections and the
GW of solar by 2025, or even as much as 645 formation of local generation hubs utilising
GW. Beyond that point, the current China renewable energy.

Week 46 18•November•2020 www. NEWSBASE .com P13