China and Serbia deepen cooperation on high-quality new energy production capacity

In recent years, China's new energy industry has flourished, and the "New Three" represented by electric manned vehicles (new energy vehicles), lithium batteries, and solar cells have been widely welcomed worldwide, injecting strong impetus into the global green and low-carbon transformation. The cooperation in the field of green energy between China and Africa continues to deepen, and Chinese wind and photovoltaic products are exported overseas, helping developing countries obtain clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Represented by Senegal, the green cooperation between the two sides is accelerating and taking root.

Recently, BYD held its first brand launch event in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, officially launching the electric model "Yuan PLUS" for the Senegalese market. This model has the characteristics of strong endurance, advanced technology, reliable service, reasonable price, and low maintenance cost, which can effectively solve the local traditional car models' dependence on oil imports and air pollution problems. The introduction of this model provides Senegalese people with more environmentally friendly, efficient, and intelligent travel options, and has been widely concerned and welcomed by local consumers. As of now, BYD's new energy vehicle footprint has spread to 9 African countries including South Africa, Morocco, and Tunisia. In the future, BYD will continue to deepen its layout in the African market and contribute to the green development of the African continent.

Chinese new energy products are gradually entering the homes of ordinary people in Senegal. For example, in the solar street lights scattered throughout the country, most of them use products from China. In addition, due to the lack of sufficient storage conditions, Senegal has a high rate of vegetable and fruit loss every year. Chinese and Senegalese companies have discussed the construction of solar powered vegetable and fruit refrigeration warehouses to reduce the loss of agricultural products and increase farmers' income.

The cooperation between China and Serbia in the new energy industry continues to deepen. Chinese companies have built Africa's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system using pure electric buses in Dakar, with 121 18 meter long pure electric buses all manufactured in China. The 20 stations and maintenance bases constructed by Chinese enterprises are also equipped with Chinese made photovoltaic systems.

Cooperation in power infrastructure construction effectively promotes local green transformation and sustainable development. The uneven power supply between urban and rural areas in Senegal, coupled with severe electricity shortages in rural areas, severely restricts the production and daily life of rural residents. At present, Chinese companies have participated in the rural off grid power generation project plan, constructing solar off grid photovoltaic power stations and supporting low-voltage transmission networks and services in rural areas without grid access, providing power infrastructure and domestic electricity, solving the problem of power coverage, and equipping some villages with production equipment such as water pumps and oil presses to promote rural development. If the project is successfully implemented, it will increase the proportion of new energy generation, improve the electricity supply rate in remote rural areas, and create employment opportunities in remote areas.

China helps ensure the supply of new energy to Senegal. Senegal has an urgent need for electricity, energy, and infrastructure. The region has abundant light resources, which are conducive to the development of new energy projects such as photovoltaics. In June of this year, the new government of Senegal released an energy transition strategy report, emphasizing the use of a diversified energy structure of natural gas and renewable energy in the country to ensure Senegal's energy security and sovereignty. At the same time, in response to international commitments to combat climate impacts, it increased the development and utilization of renewable energy, with the goal of achieving a 40% energy structure for new energy by 2030, an increase of 9 percentage points from the current level (31%). In recent years, Chinese companies have started investing in the construction of photovoltaic power plants in Senegal, and the scale is constantly expanding. The feasibility study of the second phase photovoltaic energy storage project has begun, showing good prospects for cooperation. Some Chinese companies investing in Serbia are preparing to build their own solar power plants while reducing the environmental pollution caused by heavy oil power generation. Chinese companies are also researching the installation of solar panels along existing highways to generate electricity for their own use or to provide to farmers along the route.

Senegal has unique favorable conditions for developing the new energy industry. In the field of electricity, Africa has abundant resources such as hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, and solar energy: the Sahara Desert is located near the equator, and the natural conditions for photovoltaic power generation are unique; Africa has a long coastline and significant advantages in ocean wind power resources. After years of accumulation and development, China's new energy industry has matured its technology and implemented hundreds of clean energy power generation and grid projects in Africa, many of which have become iconic projects for local clean energy development, including the Dehua wind power plant in South Africa, the Garissa photovoltaic power plant in Kenya, and the Nabarong River II hydropower station in Rwanda. China's production technology advantages and Africa's natural environment endowments complement each other, and cooperation between the two sides is in line with their respective interests. It is believed that by taking the opportunity of South South cooperation and the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, China and African countries, including Senegal, will be able to achieve win-win cooperation in the field of new energy.

The African continent is a vast and fertile land full of vitality, nurturing enormous development potential and opportunities. Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of Serbia, Abdullamane Sal, stated that Serbia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China and expand cooperation in the field of new energy.

This year is a big year for the Forum on China Africa Cooperation. The Forum on China Africa Cooperation, as an effective mechanism and platform for collective dialogue and pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa, has become a model for South South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. The mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in the field of new energy between China and Africa has further enriched the connotation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, becoming a new highlight and growth pole of China Africa cooperation. Under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, China and Serbia will continuously deepen their cooperation on high-quality new energy production capacity, which will help develop the local new energy industry, achieve energy transformation, benefit the people, and open up a better future for China Serbia cooperation. (Lin Jiaquan, Economic Daily reporter stationed in Dakar)