Disruptions to global energy supplies arising from conflict in the Middle East have highlighted the importance of Asia and the world building a more resilient energy system, according to Wolf Mueller, CEO of the service business unit and executive vice-president of Swiss-based technology company Hitachi Energy.
China has an increasingly important role to play in the global energy transition, Mueller said in an interview with China Daily at the 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum and Exhibition being held in Macao from Wednesday through Friday. "The current oil-induced crisis reinforces the need to accelerate renewables, electrification, and grid investment to reduce exposure to volatile global fossil fuel dependencies."
Noting that electricity security now underpins national security, Mueller said that countries need to treat power as critical infrastructure.
"In general, China is in a favorable position for energy security," he added, attributing this to the country's highly diversified energy mix and its role as the world's largest renewable energy market, strong hydropower and nuclear growth, and a highly connected grid network.
Themed "Boosting Green Digital Infrastructure Connectivity", the forum in Macao, the annual highlight of the global infrastructure sector, was jointly organized by the China International Contractors Association and the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
