On September 26, 2017, the 2017 Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) Forum was held at the Guidu Hotel Beijing.

GEI’s vision aims to build a globally interconnected ultra-high-voltage power grid to supply clean energy. The Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), the forum’s organizer, was established in March 2016 to make this vision a reality. Renewable Energy Institute is a GEIDCO council member.

“The development of ultra-high-voltage direct current transmission technology means that clean energy can now be shared on a global scale. This means that the necessity of developing and shipping fossil fuel resources concentrated in a limited number of regions will decline. Companies focused on fossil fuels need to change their way of thinking.”
In his opening address, GEIDCO Chairman Liu Zhenya emphasized once more that renewables hold the key to energy uses on a global scale.

Renewable Energy Institute Chair of Executive Board Tomas Kåberger, served as moderator of the forum’s second session, entitled “Global Action.” Tomas Kåberger is also a member of GEIDCO’s Advisory Board.
Among the speakers who took the podium during this session were the President of China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd., the Ambassador of Argentina to China, the Ambassador of Myanmar to China, and CEO of a Chinese IT company. They reported on specific initiatives aimed at bringing GEI’s vision to fruition and the roadmap for the future.
Summing up the discussions during the session, Tomas Kåberger said:
“Today, the cost of renewable energy has fallen to just $25–30/MWh. This is much lower than the crude oil price of $55/barrel, which works out at approximately $35/MWh. In addition to the electricity generation sector switching from thermal to renewables, we now see a path toward achieving a second replacement, with petroleum fuel being replaced by renewable power (note: electrification of transportation sector). ”

September 26, the day of the forum, was also the anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech to the UN (on September 26, 2015), during which he first proposed GEI’s vision.
More than 500 people from various countries participated in the forum, including ambassadors, government representatives, and senior power company executives. The presentations and speeches showcased the expansion of renewables across the globe and projects aimed at building an international power grid.

Reported by: Ryo Omatsu, Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute