‘Spare’ solar manufacturing capacity could help the world exceed the global tripling renewable energy target by 21%

‘Spare’ capacity to improve energy access in the Global South

Supporting global deployment of these solar panels would create a triple-win scenario for South-South-North collaboration. For China, it offers economic and diplomatic benefits. Economically, it would keep factories operational and safeguard jobs and investment during periods of low domestic demand. Diplomatically, it strengthens China’s leadership in renewable energy and enhances its ties with developing nations, many of which are members of the G77/China group.

Supporting deployment in the Global South could contribute to improving energy access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where more than half the population lacks even basic access to electricity. In principle, deploying just one-seventh of the ‘spare’ capacity could generate enough electricity to bring basic access to 809 million people in the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations, thereby advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For the Global North, supporting rollout would help fulfil responsibilities to support developing countries in achieving their energy transition and delivery of the SDGs. Accelerating solar rollout across the Global South would reduce the proportion of electricity that countries generate using fossil fuels. Additionally, growing energy independence will provide a buffer against supply shocks and price spikes.