Guide to Achieving "Electrostate" Status
Pakistan and South Africa are among the countries turning to China for their energy needs, importing Chinese batteries to store solar power and solar panels to avoid power outages and keep lifesaving machines running. Over the past six years, Pakistan has doubled its power system capacity by importing Chinese solar panels, demonstrating the growing global demand for Chinese clean energy technologies.
China, the world's leading exporter of clean energy technologies, has been capitalising on this demand. In 2024, clean energy sectors made up more than 10% of China's GDP, and electricity's share of final energy consumption surged to about 30%. This trend is not unique to China; Hungary and Germany have also doubled their electricity production capacity in the past six years, largely driven by the import of Chinese solar modules.
The benefits of electrification are far-reaching. Expanding electrification improves economic performance and opportunities, and it pays social dividends by expanding education and healthcare provision. Electricity is cleaner, with benefits for air quality and emissions reduction. It is also significantly more efficient than combustion.
However, the geopolitical advantages of becoming a consumer electrostate have been less clear than those of becoming a petrostate, possibly due to the long-standing advantages of becoming a consumer petrostate. Despite this, for most countries, becoming a consumer electrostate is more relevant than challenging China in the global market for clean energy technologies.
Bangladesh, which has passed the United States and Europe in terms of electricity's share of final consumption, is installing clean energy technologies such as mandating solar panels on public buildings. However, unlike China, Bangladesh doesn't produce many clean-tech goods.
Saudi Arabia, traditionally a producer petrostate, was the fourth-largest importer of Chinese solar in 2024, signalling a significant shift in the global energy landscape. Regardless of a country's fossil fuel consumption, electrification delivers climate benefits. Switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump cuts emissions, even in U.S. states with the dirtiest power mix. Electric vehicles (EVs) emit less CO than gas cars, even on fossil fuel-heavy grids.
Batteries bring more jobs and profits than solar panels, making them an attractive investment for countries looking to expand their electrification efforts. China is rapidly swapping out machines reliant on fossil fuels for alternatives powered by electricity, demonstrating the long-term benefits of electrification.
In conclusion, the global shift towards electrification is a significant trend that offers numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits. China, as the world's leading exporter of clean energy technologies, is playing a key role in this transition. As more countries turn to China for their energy needs, we can expect to see continued growth in the global clean energy sector.
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