SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov’s meets with GEIDCO Chairman Liu Zhenya

On 24 November 2020 SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO) Liu Zhenya.

During the event, the officials exchanged views on alternative energy development. Mr Norov presented the activities of the organisation on developing alternative energy as part of promoting the initiative of President of the PRC Xi Jinping on Global Energy Interconnection (GEI).

He reported that the issues of regulating effective regional energy cooperation were outlined in the SCO's fundamental documents — the SCO Charter and the SCO Development Strategy until 2025.

Mr Norov noted the urgency of energy security and the need to build a new energy system and to modernise the existing one. He mentioned the adopted legal acts on using renewable energy sources in the SCO space.

He reported that at present the SCO countries are considering the creation of a mechanism for energy cooperation in using different economically effective and environmentally clean types of energy to ensure sustainable development.

In this context, the SCO Secretary-General said that the SCO lacked conceptual documents on promoting green energy cooperation. He referred to the concepts, programmes and plans of practical action in the relevant areas of cooperation.

GEIDCO Chairman Liu Zhenya talked about the forming and activities of his organisation. He noted the benefits of renewable energy in replacing traditional energy sources, reducing emissions and countering climate change.

Liu Zhenya explained that at present Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) is a modern energy system. Its operations are based on the principles of ecological compatibility, interlinking, production efficiency and common efforts. It is an important platform for large-scale development and the use of alternative energy sources throughout the world. This can be expressed with the formula: smart electric networks + high voltage grids + alternative energy sources. This represents an algorithm of action and a foundation for a flexible connection of all alternative sources. In addition, it is complementary in different aspects and can be effectively used for meeting the requirements of end users. A extra-high voltage network would be the main link for distributing energy over thousands of miles and ensuring intercontinental electricity connections.

Liu Zhenya believes the GEI is a radical solution to the problem of global energy development against the backdrop of a forecast depletion of traditional energy sources, global warming and environmental pollution. He noted that the initiative was endorsed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who considered it to be a key to reaching sustainable human development and universal global growth. It was included in the Belt and Road Initiative, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the final document of the 2018 conference on alternative energy sources.

Liu Zhenya expressed GEIDCO's willingness to cooperate with the SCO Secretariat and the SCO countries on energy issues and the exploration and use of renewable energy sources and suggested the following measures:

— organise a presentation on GEIDCO activities for the SCO countries in the former's headquarters;

— consider the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SCO Secretariat and GEIDCO;

— hold a videoconference on renewable energy sources and related cooperation with the interested agencies from the SCO countries;

— offer assistance in drafting a concept of cooperation between the SCO member states on renewable energy sources by using GEIDCO's research, personnel and technical potential.