---Entrusted by the Ministry of Commerce
(MOFCOM), HRC conducts the 2014 Seminar on Rural Electrification
for Asian Countries with the participation of 15 officials
from the fields of energy and rural electrification in
8 countries, i.e. Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal,
Pakistan, Palestine and Sri Lank. The 28-day seminar,
kicking off on 22nd August and accomplishing on 18th September,
is the 69th China-aid training program implemented by
HRC since its establishment.
The opening ceremony of the seminar
was held at the multifunctional hall of HRC. Director
Ms. Cheng Xialei, Deputy Directors Mr. Xu Jincai and Mr.
Huang Jianping extended the warm welcome to all the participants
who came all the way here for the significant event.
In her speech, Director Cheng pointed
out: "ˇˇIn recent years, the world economy has entered
an era of restructuring and transformation. Asia is also
facing big challenges like the adjustment of economic
structure and the transformation of economic development
mode. In terms of development trend, Asia is to take a
prominent role in the world economy and international
relation in the 21st century. In all economic entities,
Asia takes the first place in the growth in energy demand,
with an annual increase of 4%. As estimated, the total
energy demand of Asia will have been doubled by 2020.
That is to say, the key to maintaining a continued growth
of Asia's economy lies in energy. However, Asia is currently
experiencing some difficulties in energy development,
which mainly includes decentralized energy market, old
infrastructure, lack of transparency in energy policies
and lack of power in energy pricing etc.. What's more,
the climate change is also becoming a grave challenge
to human kind. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
that allows people to live shall be less than 550ppm,
but this value has exceeded 400ppm right now. There is
not much time and room left for people to cope with the
problem brought by climate change, and Asia and the world
at large shall jointly take the responsibility to address
the issue of climate change. For Asia and the world, strengthened
cooperation and innovation as well as building-up of a
low-carbon society is the effective way to the solution
to energy problem and sustainable development of the societyˇˇ"
The seminar is designated to provide
a platform for Asian countries to fully discuss and communicate
in the field of rural electrification and the development
of SHP, wind power and solar energy, focusing on the exchange
of updated technology and management practice. Director
Cheng sincerely wished the seminar a fruitful success,
making the contribution to the rural electrification in
the Asian countries.
Mr.Senarathna Banda, Chief Electrical
Engineer of Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka, delivered
a speech on behalf of all the participants: "ˇˇ It
is a great pleasure to deliver a few words on behalf of
the participants from the different countries of the Asia
to the Seminar on Rural Electrification for Asian countries.
Firstly, I pay my gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce
of the People's Republic of China for organizing this
timely important event. People who live without electricity
in rural area demand electricity more than anything else.
Because they know that, the electricity can boost their
lives immensely. The challenge faced by the Governments
of developing country like Sri Lanka, is the lack of the
hydropower resources at present to generate electricity
economically in mass scale. The cost of thermal energy
is high and in the long run it gives environmental problems.
The nuclear power generation is still a dream for most
of the countries. Then, to provide electricity at economical
rate, what is the best other option? The options we have
are mini hydro, micro hydro and other renewable energies
like solar and wind. The opportunity of participating
in this seminar is to get knowledge about hydro power
developments, renewable energy development and the expertise
and equipment which China posses in this regard. We all
know that, the country China is one of the most powerful
countries in the world today. Though they are self sufficient,
it is very much appreciable that, the Government of China
has not forgotten to keep close relationship between neighboring
developing countries and help hand to develop them. It
is very good quality of a true leader in the region. It
is our duty and responsibility to gather as much as knowledge
and information about the rural electrification and renewable
energy and practice the same in our countries. Finally,
on behalf of all the participants from different countries
of Asia, I thank the Ministry of Commerce of the People's
Republic of China, HRC and the supporting staff for organizing
and inviting us to this very important seminar. Thank
you and wish all the success for rest the seminar."
During the coming 4 weeks, the informative
presentations will be delivered to the participants and
the field visits will be paid to the typical power stations
and the equipment manufacturers of small hydropower, wind
power and solar energy. Moreover, the in-depth discussion
will be carried out cordially among HRC professionals
and the participants from Asian countries, with concerns
about the further international cooperation on rural electrification
and renewable energy development. (2014-08-26)
