GCL in the Belt and Road Initiative | Joining Hands with Africa to Create a Clean Energy Blueprint
On June 29, the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo opened in Changsha, Hunan. The Expo, centered on the theme "Common Development for a Shared Future," included for the first time a special exhibition area for high-quality achievements of the China-Africa Belt and Road Initiative. The 150 MW PV power station project in South Africa, developed by GCL Tech (previously known as GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited) in collaboration with the China-Africa Development Fund, was exhibited as an eco-friendly development achievement of China-Africa cooperation.
Reportedly, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, initiated by President Xi Jinping at the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, is the first national-level platform for economic and trade cooperation with Africa. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of Hunan Province, it demonstrates a significant step towards the implementation of the "Eight Major Initiatives" of China-Africa cooperation. This Expo once again assembled various forces from China and Africa, including governments, localities, think tanks, enterprises, and financial institutions, to deliberate on major cooperation plans. It continues to advance the high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, contributing to a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of China's proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative, the policy concept of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith towards Africa, and the correct concept of righteousness and profit. Over the past decade, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results. GCL Tech has proactively engaged with the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to the establishment of China-Africa friendship, the transformation of energy structures, and the development of clean energy. Since 2014, the company has managed two megawatt-scale PV power stations. At the time, these were the largest in terms of financing scale in South Africa and the largest power station projects in the renewable energy sector across the African continent. It is understood that these two PV power stations of GCL Tech provide approximately 300 million kWh of clean energy annually to the local area. The total annual power generation is estimated to satisfy the energy needs of over 130,000 typical households in South Africa. Africa is one of the most climate change-vulnerable regions in the world. The launch of this clean energy project has effectively boosted the local economy, created jobs, increased tax revenue, and garnered broad praise from the African governments and their citizens.
Driven by the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, clean energy has become an essential choice for future production and lifestyle. GCL's zero-carbon futuristic product, FBR granular silicon, also made its debut at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. FBR granular silicon has obtained carbon footprint certificates in both China and France. The carbon footprint value for every kilogram of FBR granular silicon produced by the company is 37,000 kilograms CO2 equivalent, significantly outperforming rod silicon. It is noteworthy that the modules produced using FBR granular silicon reduce carbon emissions by an average of 10%–28% compared to other modules of the same scale.
PV projects represent a significant growth area for future China-Africa energy cooperation. GCL Tech will continue to plow into the field of the clean energy sector and concentrate on green development and technological innovation while at the same time, centered around the Belt and Road Initiative, committing to the sustainable development of energy projects in developing countries. Collectively, we strive towards a greener, more inclusive energy future!