On the final day of his working visit to China, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape visited energy giants Shenzhen Energy and BYD to explore collaboration in green energy and enhance energy security.
The Prime Minister’s visit was driven by his vision to transition Papua New Guinea (PNG) into a clean energy economy.
Proposal for Clean Energy and Vehicle Collaboration
At Shenzhen Energy, Prime Minister Marape viewed innovative technologies used to generate clean energy.
He proposed that the group harvest green energy from PNG’s abundant hydro, solar, and thermal resources. A key part of his proposal included developing battery packs to store clean energy for export to China and the rest of the world.
During his visit to BYD, the Prime Minister highlighted the company’s role in migrating users away from fossil fuel cars to electric vehicles (EVs). He proposed:
• Manufacturing Base: Establishing PNG as an energy supplier and manufacturing base for BYD electric cars.
• Battery Technology: Collaborating on research and development to export battery technology-based power.
• Policy Adoption: Committing PNG to adopting electric vehicles as a ma- jor national policy.
The Vision for a Green Transition
“We offer you clean energy harvest to promote energy security for PNG, China, and the world,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
He noted that fossil fuels have contributed immensely to climate change, citing sea-level rises and weather changes witnessed in Milne Bay Province after Cyclone Maila.
“We have only one planet, and we need solution creators,” he said.
“In the next 10 years, if we get rid of cars that drive on fossil fuel, we are solving half the world’s problem.”
National Commitment and Resources
The Prime Minister emphasized that PNG is ready for partnership, offering:
• Abundant Resources: 365 days of sunlight, water, and geothermal potential.
• Investment Stability: A free, independent court system and a history of hosting major companies for over 100 years.
• Diplomatic Consistency: A “One China” policy maintained since 1976.
• Market Readiness: A local businessman has already ordered 500 BYD vehicles, with the first 100 arriving today.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by inviting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that the supply of electric vehicles and the transition to clean energy progress over the next decade, eliminating carbon footprints and securing the planet’s future.