Amena H. Saiyid’s Post

The China Project just published my third article in a series revisiting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In this article, I take a look at China's "green silk road," - the reported part of the article focuses on Uzbekistan. When I visited wind and solar projects in Uzbekistan, the fact that Chinese finance was largely (for now) absent from the picture really struck me. Uzbekistan is racing to roll out solar and wind projects, but most of them are funded by international, largely European financiers, and the developers that have won most of the big auctions are from Gulf countries - ACWA Power and Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company). And yet, Chinese contractors and Chinese equipment completely dominate. I think two interesting trends or observations emerge from this picture - 1) The Gulf-China nexus and how Beijing might be able to leverage its relatively newly forged friendships with rich countries in the Gulf to help build out the Belt and Road, and 2) Chinese suppliers and EPC contractors absolutely dominate renewable energy markets and their leading position in the global green transition feels inevitable. This is something we know, of course, but the Uzbekistan example brings it home. If you look at the EU's "alternative to the BRI," the Global Gateway, it's about competition with China, but given the EU’s renewable energy focus and China's dominant position - can the EU avoid funnelling cash into the revenue streams of the Chinese companies it is at the same time eyeing warily? I'm a huge fan of The China Project, and it's really fun to write for them!

This year, Carbon Tracker, a UK-based think tank, plans to launch the Financial Energy Transition Index (FETi), a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the credibility of country-specific energy transition plans. FETi will focus on economic, technical, political, and social dimensions to provide actionable insights and legislative recommendations, serving as a crucial resource for policy makers and investors alike. For Ukraine, which recently approved an undisclosed Energy Strategy until 2050, inclusion in this index could be pivotal. Transparency is key: To boost confidence in potential investors and align with the European Green Deal, Ukraine must offer a clear roadmap for its sustainable energy transition.  Authorities should engage with international stakeholders to present a credible and transparent energy strategy, thereby attracting the foreign capital needed for its green rebuilding efforts. With its promise to reduce uncertainty, FETi could serve as a cornerstone for such critical decisions. To learn more about how FETi can impact Ukraine’s energy future, read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/ePeFFvis

Clarissa Lins was interviewed by Amena H. Saiyid for a Cipher News article on the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in Latin America. Check out some of her quotes and the complete article below: "Despite Latin America’s clean energy advantages, the countries there are finding it hard to develop their industries and market their clean products because they are grappling with other socioeconomic priorities like education and inequality, high debt levels, elevated interest rates and poor credit ratings. Those economic hurdles make it harder for local businesses to borrow money from financial institutions, which is necessary to build out clean energy projects in the region especially when stacked up against the global competition, which can count on vast subsidies and incentives, Clarissa Lins, founding partner of Catavento, a Brazil-based energy transition consultancy, told Cipher." (...) "Brazil, for example, could produce clean hydrogen competitively based on its vast hydroelectric, wind and solar resources because 70% of the cost of making clean hydrogen is tied to electricity, Lins said. “But challenges arise when you add up the high capital costs of electrolyzers, the machines used to make hydrogen using electricity, which are then exacerbated by Brazil’s transmission fees and elevated borrowing costs due to high debt levels and lack of investment-grade rating,” she added." #energytransition #latinamerica https://lnkd.in/dX85fM23

Key Points of the Algiers Declaration on Natural Gas: -Natural gas for a secure and sustainable future: GECF member countries see natural gas as a key part of the energy mix, alongside renewables, for achieving sustainable development and energy security. -Focus on affordability and reliability: The declaration highlights natural gas's role in providing affordable and reliable energy to combat energy poverty and support UN Sustainable Development Goals. -Sustainability through technology: GECF promotes research and development of cleaner, more efficient natural gas technologies. -Global recognition for natural gas: The forum seeks to include natural gas in climate change discussions and international regulations as a sustainable resource. -Cooperation and expansion: The GECF welcomes new member countries and strengthens collaboration for a stronger voice in the global energy market. -Focus on Africa: The summit participation by the African Energy Commission highlights potential emphasis on natural gas development in Africa. - on the other side, there are some critics of the results as follows: 3. Overemphasis on natural gas: the declaration prioritizes natural gas over a more rapid transition to renewable energy sources. 2. Sustainability concerns:  the claim of natural gas being a sustainable fuel isn't supported by all scientific viewpoints, especially regarding methane emissions. 1. Focus on producers, not consumers: the declaration prioritizes the interests of gas-producing countries over the needs of energy-consuming nations.

In the global shift toward renewable energy, economic competitiveness is paramount. For Poland, my birthplace and a key player in Europe's industrial landscape, transitioning from coal is not just an option but a necessity to maintain its status as the continent's factory. The same winds of change blow across Texas, where my son was born and where the energy transition is equally critical for its future prosperity. As both regions stand at the forefront of energy innovation, I am personally invested in ensuring they lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Our commitment today will shape the world our children, like my 7-month-old son, will inherit tomorrow. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dYyGAjq6 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exZHaSMV #EnergyTransition #EconomicGrowth #RenewableEnergy #Poland #Texas

Today, January 26, marks the International Day of Clean Energy. ECSP has done extensive work on highlighting the role of critical minerals in the clean energy transition. “The global transition to low-carbon energy is spurring new momentum to produce and secure the mineral inputs necessary for renewable technologies,” says ECSP’s Claire Doyle. Yet, meeting rising demand while ensuring communities are protected will prove an ongoing challenge. Check out some of ECSP and Wilson Center China Environment Forum (CEF)’s work on clean energy ranging in topics from China’s EV power grid, to Ukraine’s energy transition after the war, to critical minerals: 1️⃣ China’s EV Power Grid-lock: A Coin Toss for Decarbonization? https://bit.ly/48JaVFs 2️⃣ China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa https://bit.ly/48MD8LL 3️⃣ Ecoaction’s Kostiantyn Krynytskyi on Securing Ukraine’s Energy Future https://bit.ly/3pFgKlR 4️⃣ Circumventing the Chokepoint: Can the US Produce More Rare Earths? https://bit.ly/3vQSi3R 5️⃣ The State of Play for Critical Mineral Policies: A Berlin Climate Security Conference Roundtable https://bit.ly/3Scj2mR

In the global shift toward renewable energy, economic competitiveness is paramount. For Poland, my birthplace and a key player in Europe's industrial landscape, transitioning from coal is not just an option but a necessity to maintain its status as the continent's factory. The same winds of change blow across Texas, where my son was born and where the energy transition is equally critical for its future prosperity. As both regions stand at the forefront of energy innovation, I am personally invested in ensuring they lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Our commitment today will shape the world our children, like my 7-month-old son, will inherit tomorrow. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dh2YrymB Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYzWGycu #EnergyTransition #EconomicGrowth #RenewableEnergy #Poland #Texas

As the world pivots towards #SustainableEnergy, so does #SouthAfrica! Our latest article delves into the transformative journey of the #KomatiPowerPlant, from being a coal-fired station to adopting cleaner energy technologies. 🔹 Key Highlights: - The role of Komati in South Africa’s energy landscape - Steps towards a greener energy mix - Implications for policy and investment Don’t miss out on this in-depth look into the future of clean energy in South Africa! 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eKV4uA5B #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #SouthAfrica #KomatiPowerPlant #EnergyTransition

Investment interest in South Africa’s renewable energy transition. More countries have now pledged to help South Africa switch from coal to renewable power generation. This creates an opportunity for SA to finance #collaborations and #partnerships to move towards a sustainable energy transition. However, this is still a drop in the bucket of what will be needed to make the South African economy completely independent of coal. Read more about this here: https://lnkd.in/epTaDXzF #Circulareconomy #Renewableenergy #SouthAfrica #CircularSouthAfrica #Sustainability 

Scotland may have just lost the two giant pandas that had been living in Edinburgh Zoo since 2011 (they have been returned to China after the rental agreement that allowed them to be in Scotland expired) but the Scottish government has been busy engaging with China on business opportunities. Last month Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, made the first Scottish ministerial visit to China since 2019, visiting Beijing, Kunming and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Scottish government has just published its annual report on international activities, led Scottish Development International (SDI). In a section on hydrogen (a big deal for Scotland, given the potential for offshore wind to drive the production through electrolysis of huge amounts of green hydrogen for export to Germany) a paragraph is reserved for what's going on between Scotland and China in renewables. "The team in China focused their Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approach on offshore wind and the hydrogen supply chain, targeting key supply chain gaps which could be appropriately addressed through FDI including the manufacture and or assembly of turbines blades floating substructures sub-sea cables and electrolysers. They presented Scotland’s off shore wind market opportunities at the top offshore wind conference in China, and are engaging ten potential investors in the hydrogen supply chain, including Chinese electrolyser manufacturers." Exam question: To what extent would the UK Government regard renewable infrastructure like electrolysis, subsea cables and wind turbines as critical to energy security and therefore sensitive? #Scotland #China #hydrogen #renewables