Ministerial Workshop on Mechanism of Renewable Energy Utilization and Development for Developing Countries, June 12, 2012.Final Report

Prepared and submitted by: Abraham Bility, Outreach Officer, Rural & Renewable Energy Agency of Liberia (RREA)Email; meetbility@gmail.com

Introduction: A 15 days Ministerial Conference on Mechanism of Renewable Energy Utilization and Development for Developing Countries was held in Changsha, China. The conference which commenced on May 15, 2012 and ended on May 24th 2012 brought together a total of 30 participants from 10 developing countries of Africa, South America, Asia and Easter Europe. According to Mr. Huang Baodong, Vice President of POWERCHINA “the purpose of the conference is to bridge the gap between China and the rest of the developing countries in a win-win situation” Because Liberia was one of the participatory countries, I was asked by my office (Rural and Renewable Energy Agency of Liberia) to attend this conference. Initially I was to leave Liberia for China on the 12th of May, 2012 but as circumstances could have it, I missed my flight. So, on the 14th of May I finally left Monrovia, Liberia for Beijing China and a day later I reached my destination.

Chronologic of events:

1. Opening Ceremonies and meeting with the Chinese Government Leaders of Huana Province

The open ceremonies of the workshop were held at the Xiaoxiang Hall, Xiaoxiang Huatian Hotel on the 15th of May, 2012. Prominent amongst the Chinese Government official present were Mr. He Baoxiang, Vice Governor of Hunan Provincial People's Government In his welcome statement stressed that the workshop will not only present a rare chance for the province to learn the precious experience from other developing countries in development and utilization of new energy, but also will further improve guests' understanding of Hunan Province.

Participants posed for photo during the opening program of the workshop

2. The China-Africa Business Cooperation ForumThe China-Africa Business Cooperation Forum of the seventh Central China Expo was held on May 19 2012 at the Paragon Hotel. According to Mr. Wang Ying, Director of Department for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture of China, “the aims of the conference is to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the African delegates and their Chinese counterparts.

Participants of the workshop posed for photo with their Chinese counterparts while Comrade Mao statue standing at the background.

Mr. Ying stated that with edges in agricultural and agro-processing technologies, especially in hybrid rice technology, Hunan is willing to make in-depth cooperation with African countries in agriculture. Wide-ranging cooperation will be carried out in the field of clean energy, applying Hunan's technological advantages in hydropower, wind power and so on. Hunan will also assist African countries in their infrastructure construction and improvement, as well as human resourcesdevelopment.

Eight representatives, including Mr. Charles MeCclain, Deputy Min. of Agriculture of Liberia, gave keynote speeches respectively, expressing confidence on the promising prospect of China-African business cooperation.

3. Presenting flower basket to the statue of Comrade Mao Zedong (founder of Modern China)

Red Carpet reception during the presentation of Basket of Flower to Comrade Mao’s Statue

In a well organized Red Carpet reception in Shaosha, Huana Province. Participants of the Workshop were invited by the officials of the Huana Province to pay a visit to the statue of Comrade Mao Zedong where a basket of flower was presented to the statue as sign of respect, love and friendship. According to the officials, the presentation is very much valued by the Chinese.

4. Visiting Xiangtan National Economic Technological Zone We were taken on a guided tour to this company located few kilometers away from Huana City. According to the General Manager of the Company the company products such as solar LED lamp, LED lamp, solar traffic signal lamp, solar PV system for household, office and solar water pump are all exported to Africa and other places and the products excellent performance are highly praised by customers.

A cross section of participants during the visit

For her part, Assistant Minister Kema Martin of the Ministry of Land, Mines and Energy of Liberia urged for more business Cooperation between Africa and, not only China, but the rest of the world so as to address the shortages of electricity in Africa

5. Visit to POWERCHINA POWERCHINA specializes in designing, constructing, investing, planning and maintaining both grid and off-grid power facilities. POWERCHINA is formed by absorbing and integrating SINOHYDRO’s strengths in power and infrastructure construction, and HYDROCHINA’s expertise in energy and civil works projects planning and designing.

Group photo during the visit

During the visit to one of POWERCHINA’s wind farm, Mr. Shen Decal, Vice President of SHINOCHINA, stressed that SINOHYDRO focus on four keys areas for development which are complementary to its core profession and this include: Investment, Construction, Real Estate and Engineering Consultancy.

6. Visiting Guan Ting Wind Farm

Members of the Workshop Delegation posing for picture during the site sightings of one of the Wind Farm

On the 22nd of May 2012, we were taken to one of Guan Ting Wind Farms. According to the Vice President of the Company Mr. Baodong Huang, the company offers complete tailor-made solution as per client needs’’. The project is composed of the installation of 33 wind turbines manufactured by a Chinese technology provider, with a per unit capacity of 1.5 MW. An annual 98.9 GWh of electricity is being supplied to the North China Power. The Guan Ting wind power project is Beijing's first large-scale use of wind power, and it is one of the projects that supplied renewable electricity to the Olympic Games. On behave of the African delegates, Mr. Wondimu Tekle Sigo, Minister of Water and Power Resources of Ethiopia, expressed the needs for exchange of information in technologic, agriculture, power and energy to be the top priority of the developing countries.

7. Visiting the Imperial Palace

Visiting the interiors of the Forbidden City/Imperial Palace of China

On a very bright sunny day we visited the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City in Beijing. Guided by a local tourist guide, we entered through the southern Gate and exited through the northern Gate. The Palace itself is surrounded by high walls and multiple galleries displaying portions of the imperial treasure in gold and other antique of valuable item. According to our Chinese guide Xie Teng construction of the Palace began in 1407 and it was completed in 1420. According to her, the palace was built during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For some years, the palace served as the home of emperors and their families, as well as the political center of Chinese government.

8. Closing program

Honorable Assistant Minister Kema Martin of Liberia with Chinese Government Officials during the closing program

In her landmark closing program speech at the Best Western Olympic Hotel in Beijing, Liberia Assistant Minister for Planning at the Ministry of Land, Mines and Energy Madam Kema Martin thanked the Chinese people for organizing the forum. She stressed that although the closing program marked the end of the workshop, but she was optimistic that it would also serve as the beginning of a new chapter in China and other developing countries relations.

For their part, representatives s of the Chinese government present whole heartedly thanked the workshop participants for attending the conference and added that the participating countries have the best opportunity to share in China vast experience in technologic, agriculture, energy ,power and infrastructural developing.