G-20 Energy Workshops in Beijing

As the G-20 Energy Ministerial Meeting was underway in Beijing, a workshop was held on June 28 which focused on the problems facing the solar power industry. The workshop, called “Financing Challenges for Solar Power”, was co-organized by the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy in partnership with the Clean Development Mechanism Fund of the Ministry of Finance, the Energy Development Research Center of the China Investment Association and the New Era Renewable Energy Alliance. 

July 01, 2016

As the G-20 Energy Ministerial Meeting was underway in Beijing, a workshop was held on June 28 which focused on the problems facing the solar power industry. The workshop, called “Financing Challenges for Solar Power”, was co-organized by the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy in partnership with the Clean Development Mechanism Fund of the Ministry of Finance, the Energy Development Research Center of the China Investment Association and the New Era Renewable Energy Alliance. Participants from policy-making agencies, private businesses, NGOs, think tanks, and research institutes discussed the current state of the solar power industry. They shared information based on their observations and first-hand investigations as well as comparative analyses with international experiences. The workshop participants agreed that the short-term financing challenges and cash flow pressures have kept most of the companies in the industry from making a profit. They also stressed that the solar power industry has great potential, and is one of China’s most promising industries in the medium and long-term future.

On June 30 the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy organized the inaugural meeting of the US-China Energy Program Advisory Board, held at Columbia Global Centers | Beijing. Participants from China and abroad expressed their excitement about the opportunities ahead for the US-China Program, and shared insights about how to put those opportunities into action.

On July 1, the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy co-organized a workshop entitled the “Chinese Medium-and-Long-Term Oil Demand Outlook”, in parternship with the Energy Research Institute of National Development and Reform Commission of China, and CNPC Economics and Technology Research Institute. Participants from policy-making agencies, private businesses, think tanks and research institutes discussed oil market policies, technological innovations and macro-economic shifts. From a policy perspective, the panel members agreed that the demand for oil would have a direct or indirect dependence on many factors such as environmental policies, EV subsidies, and renewable energy development among others.

From a technological perspective, they agreed that the transportation sector plays an important role in oil demand. New energy vehicles will increase, but due to the rapid development of transportation, oil demand will also continue to rise. From a macro-economic perspective the oil demand increase will be less irrational due to strict policies and environmental concerns. Western China has great potential due to the lack of a solid infrastructure, which will also help to create energy demand.

All in all, oil demand will continue to increase, but it depends on many factors. Panel members agreed there is great enthusiasm to continue the discussion and to do further research.