European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
China Power Sector Reform: Success or failure?
Energy Working Group Meeting
Date and Time: Thursday 4 July from 9:00 to 11:00
Venue: European Chamber Shanghai Office (Shui On Plaza, Unit 2204, 333 Huaihai Zhong Road, Shanghai)
European Chamber Beijing (Beijing Lufthansa Centre, Office C405, 50 Liang Ma Qiao Road) (dial-in)
Registration: Email Ms. Beichu Li at bcli@europeanchamber.com.cn
Dear Working Group Member,
Please join the Energy working group on Wednesday 4 July, 9-11am, for a presentation and in-depth discussion on China’s power sector reform.
The electrification of transport, heating, and industrial processes can bring many opportunities to improve the energy system and attract foreign investments. New tools are required to create a flexible and modern electric grid that can meet the increase in renewable generation and distributed energy resources, while maintaining the quality customers expect.
China’s electric grid is slowly moving towards a market-oriented approach, particularly with the State Council’s 2015 Opinions on Further Deepening the Reform of Power System. There appears to be continuous change and development in areas such as market transactions and transparency of grid tariffs. However, after 17 years of market reforms it is clear that the government and regulated prices still play the dominant role in this industry. Alex Whitworth, Director of APAC Power and Renewables Research at Wood Mackenzie will assess the overall electricity reform, and discuss what some recent policy changes signal for the future.
Agenda
9:00-9:30 Registration
9:30-9:40 Opening remarks by Energy group chairs
9:40-10:10 Presentation on China power sector reform by Alex Whitworth of Wood Mackenzie
10:10-11:00 Q&A and Discussion
Alex Whitworth, Director of APAC Power and Renewables Research at Wood Mackenzie
Mr. Whitworth manages Wood Mackenzie’s power and renewables research team in Asia, which brings together regional power market experts covering wind, solar, storage and traditional fuels. He has over 10 years of experience in the energy industry in China including at McKinsey, GE and IHS Markit. Mr. Whitworth speaks fluent Chinese, holds a Masters degree in Engineering from Columbia University, and graduated from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. Originally from New Zealand, he now lives with his family in Shanghai.
