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Broad Prospects for China-New Zealand Cooperation in the Photovoltaic Field
China is one of the primary sources of imported solar photovoltaic products for New Zealand. Chinese photovoltaics help reduce electricity costs for New Zealanders and improve their quality of life. As New Zealand accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, the prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the photovoltaic field are promising.
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Translation: Small and Beautiful, Benefiting People's Livelihoods
New Zealand, with its vast land and sparse population, has a land area of approximately 270,000 square kilometers, equivalent to eight Hainan Islands. However, it has only 5.1 million people, roughly equivalent to the combined permanent population of Chaoyang District and Tongzhou District in Beijing. The population density is much lower than the world average. New Zealanders have a strong love for nature and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, distancing themselves from the hustle and bustle of urban life. However, even in this "paradise on earth," life still relies on electricity. The decentralized living and camping characteristics present challenges for power supply.
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Facilitating Low-Carbon Development
In November 2019, New Zealand passed the "Zero Carbon Bill," becoming one of the world's first countries to incorporate the goals of the Paris Agreement into national legislation. The country aims to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
The development of the photovoltaic industry is a crucial element in achieving clean and sustainable energy and is an important pathway for global carbon neutrality. When it comes to carbon emissions, fossil fuels are often the first to be considered, but the livestock industry is also a significant contributor that is easily overlooked. Studies indicate that livestock emit a considerable amount of greenhouse gases during the breeding process, with the livestock sector accounting for over 14% of global carbon emissions. New Zealand, with a population of around 5 million, has approximately 10 million beef and dairy cattle and about 26 million sheep.
In September 2023, a research report from the organization "Our Land and Water" in New Zealand suggested that integrating "photovoltaics + livestock" by combining eco-friendly farming practices with solar power generation could not only enhance farm profitability but also improve environmental and animal welfare. This approach could assist New Zealand farmers in transitioning towards a zero-carbon economy.
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Broad Prospects for Cooperation
Although New Zealand started later in the field of photovoltaic power generation, its development has been rapid. According to the latest data from the New Zealand Electricity Authority, as of December 2023, the total installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in New Zealand is 364 megawatts. In terms of growth, there was an increase of 23 megawatts in 2019, 30 megawatts in 2020, and 47 megawatts in 2021. In 2022, there was an additional 69 megawatts, and in 2023, an additional 104 megawatts, with the annual growth rate accelerating from 30% to 50%.
In December 2023, during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the "UAE Consensus" was released, proposing the important "Triple Goal," calling for a threefold increase in global renewable energy installed capacity by 2030 and a doubling of the global energy efficiency increase rate.
Chinese photovoltaic enterprises actively participate in New Zealand's green and low-carbon development, not only reducing costs and increasing efficiency but also intensifying research and development efforts to tackle next-generation photovoltaic cell technologies. The collaboration between China and New Zealand in the field of photovoltaics will not only benefit people's livelihoods but also contribute to global energy transformation and climate governance.
Source: Commercial Office in Auckland
