4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency

On May 3rd 2018, the 4th meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiencywas successfully held in Beijing.

BMWi Director General Thorsten Herdan met NDRC Director General Ren Shuben during the working group meeting
BMWi Director General Thorsten Herdan met NDRC Director General Ren Sheben during the working group meeting

In the meeting representatives of the National Development and Reform Commission of the P.R. China (NDRC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) discussed the progress of the cooperation in the framework of the Sino-German Energy Partnership promoting the Energiewende (energy transition) in both countries and decided on the focal areas of the bilateral exchange in the field of energy efficiency in the upcoming year. Apart from the government officials more than 20 representatives from Chinese and German governmentagencies, research institutions,think tanks and government-affiliated consulting groups participated in the meeting. Among them Chinese representatives from the National Energy Administration (NEA), the National Energy Conservation Center (NECC), China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP),  China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC) and the ESCO Committee of China Energy Conservation Association (EMCA); German participants included the German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU), the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Beijing, the German Energy Agency (dena) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The meeting included discussion on the following topics: the annual review of activities of the past year and discussion of the work Plan for 2018/19, an update on the bilateral Demonstration Projects on Energy Efficiency in Industry and City Quarters as well as options to deepen the practical exchange on Energy Efficiency Networks (EEN).

The meeting started out with a brief welcome by the Director General of NDRC’s Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection, Ren Shuben, and the Director General of BMWi’s Department of Energy Policy, Thorsten Herdan. Mr. Ren firstly introduced China’s latest policies in the field of energy efficiency, including its efforts to eliminate outdated production capacities, control energy consumption, introduce a standard system to promote energy-savings and advance the green transformation of the economy. He also stated that China and Germany share the goal to promote international cooperation on energy efficiency. In order to further strengthen policy dialogue and facilitate the development of a market for energy efficiency, both countries shall strive to innovate the cooperation mechanisms and create a comprehensive platform for an in-depth exchange on technologies, financing mechanisms and trade of energy efficiency products and services.

Mr. Herdan stressed that the new German government will continue to push principle of Energy Efficiency First. Germany will undertake further research and formulate relevant energy efficiency strategies, policies and regulations in order to achieve the target of halving primary energy consumption by 2050 compared to 2008-levels. The new government seeks to strengthen the incentive policies for comprehensive utilization of waste heat and actively explore a solution to stir up the market’s low enthusiasm to invest in high-efficiency equipment. The new German government and the new Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier, attach great importance to energy partnerships with developing countries and emerging economies worldwide, especially to the cooperation with China. Furthermore, Mr. Herdan emphasized the need to put greater attention on the creation of a level-playing field in order to create opportunities for German companies to develop their business in China and create win-win situations while introducing innovative energy-efficient technologies and services.

During the meeting, Ms. Retzer, the Head of GIZ’s Cluster of Sustainable Urbanization, Transportation and Energy, reviewed the work and progress carried out by the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency in the past year highlighting that China and Germany have built a closer cooperation in the field of energy efficiency than ever before. Afterwards, Mr. Zhao Huaiyong, the Division Director of the Energy Conservation Division of NDRC’s Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection, introduced the draft work plan for 2018/19 laying the foundation to further deepen the cooperation in the future.

Subsequently, the representatives from the Chinese and German governments discussed the status and next steps of the bilateral Demonstration Projects: the ongoing Sino-German Demonstration Project on Energy Conservation in Energy-intensive Industry by Means of Energy Audits and Energy Efficiency Measures and the upcoming Sino-German Demonstration Project on Energy Efficiency in City Quarters. In addition, both sides exchanged views on how to further promote Energy Efficiency Networks in China, a model for a practical peer-to-peer exchange on successful energy efficiency measures.

The meeting was wrapped up by closing statements by Director Generals Ren and Herdan expressing their appreciation for the achievements of the cooperation so far. Both sides highlighted their continued commitment to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation between China and Germany on the topic of energy efficiency going into the future, agreeing that the close involvement and cooperation of industry and the private sector from both countries will be instrumental to develop, implement and roll out the energy-efficient solutions necessary to achieve government objectives.

Group Photo of "4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency"

Group Photo of "4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency"

Group Photo of "4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency"

Ren Shunben, Director General of NDRC at the Working Group Meeting

Ren Shunben, Director General of NDRC at the Working Group Meeting

Ren Shunben, Director General of NDRC at the Working Group Meeting

Thorsten Herdan, Director General of BMWi at the Working Group Meeting

Thorsten Herdan, Director General of BMWi at the Working Group Meeting

Thorsten Herdan, Director General of BMWi at the Working Group Meeting

Sandra Retzer of GIZ with CIECC Representative

Sandra Retzer of GIZ with CIECC Representative

Sandra Retzer of GIZ with CIECC Representative

4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency

4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency

4th Meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Energy Efficiency