Africa emerges as solar market
Source: Bloomberg News |
June 8, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA, the world's biggest maker of solar panels, plans to build power projects using the devices in 40 African nations, aiming to cut the continent's reliance on fossil fuels and open a new market for Chinese manufacturers.
The program, which will require about US$100 million in investment, will use competitive bidding and Chinese-made panels, Sun Guangbin, secretary-general of photovoltaic products at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, said.
China is branching into clean energy after investing US$10 billion last year in Africa where its traditional targets have been oil, minerals and construction. That will help feed its burgeoning solar industry led by JA Solar Holdings Co and Suntech Power Holdings Co, the world's largest makers of cells used in photovoltaic panels that turn sunlight into power.
"China needs new emerging markets to consume their solar products besides Europe, and Africa could be one of them," Sun said. "We'll begin investigating this month in Africa to determine a suitable project in each country, such as installing solar panels on the rooftops of schools and hospitals."
Each installation in Africa will cost about 10 million to 20 million yuan (US$1.5 million to US$3 million), Sun said. Terms of the tender process weren't disclosed.
Renewable energy is one of the seven "strategic emerging" industries to be promoted in the next five years.
The program, which will require about US$100 million in investment, will use competitive bidding and Chinese-made panels, Sun Guangbin, secretary-general of photovoltaic products at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, said.
China is branching into clean energy after investing US$10 billion last year in Africa where its traditional targets have been oil, minerals and construction. That will help feed its burgeoning solar industry led by JA Solar Holdings Co and Suntech Power Holdings Co, the world's largest makers of cells used in photovoltaic panels that turn sunlight into power.
"China needs new emerging markets to consume their solar products besides Europe, and Africa could be one of them," Sun said. "We'll begin investigating this month in Africa to determine a suitable project in each country, such as installing solar panels on the rooftops of schools and hospitals."
Each installation in Africa will cost about 10 million to 20 million yuan (US$1.5 million to US$3 million), Sun said. Terms of the tender process weren't disclosed.
Renewable energy is one of the seven "strategic emerging" industries to be promoted in the next five years.
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