The China in Africa Podcast: The Role of Chinese Solar Technology in Africa's Just Energy Transition

The Role of Chinese Solar Technology in Africa's Just Energy Transition

China is by far the world's dominant producer of solar power technology which is becoming increasingly popular in places like Africa that are under mounting pressure to transition from reliance on fossil fuels to new, greener renewable sources of energy.

CEA’s Shanghai-based project manager, Nicola Licata, and Washington, D.C.-based Associate Engineer, Raiene Santana, discuss China's outsized role in the solar power supply chain and the challenges that U.S. and European governments are going to face in financing "Just Energy Transition" projects on the continent.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

00:43 Recap of Huawei in South Africa

03:25 Just Energy Transition

09:19 Guest introduction

11:09 China's solar investment in comparison to other countries

12:40 China's edge in holding a big market share

20:36 Is subsidizing possible without China in the picture?

23:02 A feasible transition from conventional energy to solar

25:30 Quality and price range concerns

30:05 Environment-friendly in the solar supply chain

32:42 Current trends by manufacturers

34:36 Recap of the conversation

37:21 Analysis of Linda Thomas-Greenfield

57:11 Outro