GDP Center Launches New “China’s Global Power Database”
The Global Development Policy (GDP) Center, an affiliated regional center at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, has launched the “China’s Global Power Database” (CGP), the first database to systematically analyze and compare China’s policy bank finance and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the energy sector.
As China becomes an active participant in the global power sector, the world is paying increasing attention to Chinese projects overseas. As China receives increasing attention in its global engagement, it is particularly important to understand that “Chinese” actors come in various shapes and forms. The CGP Database enables more nuanced analysis of investment and finance activities with the participation of Chinese actors, and could be used to inform decision making for policy makers, market participants, as well as civil society.
Some of the initial findings from the database are as follows:
- Annual installation of renewable energy with Chinese investment overseas has generally been on the rise over the past decade, with many projects still under development or planning. However, fossil fuel projects are still taking up a significant share of Chinese overseas power plant capacity.
- Chinese investment in Europe and Central Asia, Oceania, North America and East Asia is more focused on natural gas and other non-hydro renewable energy projects, and the scale of installed capacity in these regions is relatively small.
- Chinese investment in lower-middle income (LMCs) and low-income countries (LICs) is crucial for meeting the fast-growing energy needs of these countries. Forty-three percent of Chinese overseas power generation investment and finance went to these countries.
Visit the CGP website for more insights.
The GDP Center is a university-wide research center affiliated with the Pardee School of Global Studies. The GDP Center’s mission is to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Learn more about this center on the GDP website.