The “China New Energy Market Update Webinar,” hosted by Austrade and AustCham China on 11 September 2024, provided an in-depth look at the key trends shaping China’s energy sector.

Opened by Daniela Assis, Trade and Investment Commissioner at Austrade, the session began with an introduction to the AustCham China Net Zero Working Group. Craig Pasch and Hongwei Li, Co-Chairs of the Net Zero Working Group, emphasised the importance of China-Australia cooperation in the new energy market and invited AustCham China members to engage directly with the Working Group.

Professor Yang Lei, Vice Dean at Peking University’s Institute of Energy, delivered the first presentation, exploring China’s journey towards carbon neutrality and the structural challenges faced in transitioning from traditional energy sources. He focused on the shifts in China’s energy mix following recent innovations in the renewable energy landscape, such as advancements in solar, wind, and battery storage technologies.

Following Professor Yang’s scene-setting presentation, a case study was presented by Tianming Ge, Consulting Director of Worley China. As a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, Worley has been instrumental in supporting the energy sector’s shift towards renewable energy sources.

Mr Ge delved deeper into the promising role of hydrogen in China’s energy transition. He discussed how Worley is leveraging its engineering and project management expertise to support the development of hydrogen infrastructure in China, providing specific examples of projects in which Worley has directly invested.

Hydrogen has been a focus of many industries due to its potential to decarbonise sectors that are challenging to electrify. Ge highlighted Worley’s active involvement in hydrogen projects, particularly in “green hydrogen,” which is produced using renewable energy sources like wind and solar, thereby offering a zero-carbon solution.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A led by Hongwei Li, allowing attendees both in person and online to discuss pressing issues, including the pace of China’s energy transition, business opportunities within the renewables market, and the long-term implications of China’s green energy strategy for international businesses.

A big thank you to Austrade, our speakers, and our members for making this an engaging discussion. If you are interested in joining AustCham or our Net Zero Working Group, please contact info@austcham.org.