The SVP project in Brazil built by the China General Nuclear (CGN) Power Group Photo: Courtesy of CGN

Editor's Note:

The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Seminar on Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" were held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in late June, followed by another event, the "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Roundtable Forum of China-LAC countries" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From July 6 to 7, the 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro.

To enhance understanding of LAC countries, provide a framework for dealing with these countries, and grasp the trajectory of China-LAC relations, the Global Times, in collaboration with China's universities and think tanks, is releasing a series of country reports on LAC countries. 

In the second report of the series, we focus on how China and LAC countries could chart a path for green energy cooperation, using Brazil and Argentina as case studies, and explore ways for China and LAC countries to institutionalize this cooperation.


As the world faces accelerating changes unseen in a century, unilateralism and protectionism are spreading, while a new round of industrial and technological revolution has sped up the transition to a digital, green, and intelligent world. Against this backdrop, China is committed to further deepening the global partnership based on equality, openness and cooperation; international cooperation with the LAC region is naturally included in this global partnership. China-LAC cooperation spans multiple fields. 

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in May, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted, "China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Independence and autonomy are our glorious tradition. Development and revitalization are our inherent right. And fairness and justice are our common pursuit." In various fields, green cooperation has become a highlight of China-LAC cooperation in the new era.

China's contribution to LAC's green transformation

As an emerging field of China's capacity cooperation with foreign countries, green energy cooperation is based on China's innovative advantages in energy transformation and low-carbon technology industries. LAC countries have different national conditions, leading to variations in the development and utilization of green energy. However, they all adhere to sustainable development and climate governance while actively promoting their own transformations to green and low-carbon energy. China and LAC countries have a broad space for cooperation in green energy, and China has made positive contributions to local green and low-carbon transformation in the LAC region.

First, green energy cooperation is closely linked to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing climate change goals, which are essential for the survival and development of humanity. Under the promotion of the UN, the concept of sustainable development has gradually become a consensus within the international community. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, launched 10 years ago, sets 17 SDGs to be achieved by 2030 across economic, social and environmental dimensions. By the end of 2025, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will have been held 30 times, with five sessions held in Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Brazil in Latin America. 

Second, green energy cooperation has become an important direction for the Global South to explore international cooperation on industrial capacity. With the continuous improvement of China's strength, a series of Chinese solutions for global governance, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and the Global Development Initiative, have been gradually proposed. International cooperation on industrial capacity, focusing on the creation and improvement of production capacity, has become a starting point for the implementation of the BRI. As a new form of international cooperation on industrial capacity, green energy cooperation is increasingly becoming an important way for China to work with LAC countries in South-South cooperation, further evolving into a model of cooperation among Global South countries.

Third, the green energy cooperation between China and LAC countries is based on the complementary advantages between them. From a structural point of view, China has production and technological advantages in green energy development and application, particularly in the "new three" items: electric vehicles, photovoltaic panels and lithium batteries. The products are cost-effective, providing countries around the world with more economical options for obtaining green energy products. Meanwhile, the LAC region possesses market and resource advantages, with a regional area of more than 20 million square kilometers and a population of about 660 million. The lithium reserves of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and other countries in the region are among the highest in the world.

The photo, taken on October 10, 2023, shows the construction site of the Kise hydropower station in Argentina built by the China Gezhouba Group Corporation. Photo: cnsphoto

Current status of green energy development in Brazil and Argentina

In the process of green cooperation between China and LAC countries, given the differences in the national conditions of LAC countries, it is necessary to conduct analyses and research based on specific national contexts. Taking Brazil and Argentina as subjects, we focus on the development of the two countries in the field of green energy in recent years.

Among Latin American countries, Brazil was one of the first countries to realize the widespread application of green renewable energy. In the 1970s, Brazil's ethanol production program, "Proalcohol," which used alcohol to replace gasoline as automobile fuel, and the Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, built jointly with Paraguay, are important examples. In recent years, Brazil has achieved considerable progress in green renewable energy.

First, Brazil's total utilization rate of clean and renewable energy exceeds the world average. Biodiesel and ethanol purification technologies are world leaders. According to the Brazil Transition Factbook 2025, released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance in March, Brazil attracted $37.1 billion in energy transformation investment in 2024, ranking seventh in the world. In the Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2024 released by the World Economic Forum, Brazil's Energy Transition Index (ETI) stood at 65.7, ranking 12th in the world, demonstrating its ability to achieve energy transformation. 

Second, Brazil's power generation is dominated by hydropower, which accounts for 50.16 percent of the total capacity, reaching 108.39 MW. Thermal power comes in second, accounting for 18.27 percent with 39.48 MW. Renewable energy generation, such as wind power and solar energy, is rapidly gaining popularity, contributing 13.19 percent and 5.19 percent of the total, respectively. At the same time, the sources of electricity in different regions of Brazil are closely related to local conditions. The northern region is dominated by hydropower, the northeast has significant potential for wind and solar energy, and the southeast region is Brazil's largest electricity consumption and transmission centers.

Third, electric vehicles in Brazil have reached a scale, and clean energy for vehicles has been developed. According to the data of the Brazilian Association of Electric Vehicles, Brazil sold 177,360 electric vehicles in 2024, an increase of 90 percent over 2023. At the same time, 12 Chinese electric vehicle brands will be put into operation in Brazil by the end of 2025. In Brazil, Chinese car companies assemble not only new energy vehicles, including pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, but also traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Argentina is committed to building an inclusive, sustainable green economy and was one of the first Latin American nations to impose a carbon tax. Argentina's clean energy development plan designates lithium and hydrogen as primary feedstocks, supplemented by wind and solar energy. According to the World Economic Forum's Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2024 report, Argentina has an ETI  score of 52.6, ranking 82nd globally - indicating substantial potential for improvement.

Argentina has made considerable progress in green energy development in recent years. First, through initiatives such as RenovAr - an auction-based renewable energy program - and PROBIOMASA - a project promoting biomass-derived energy - Argentina has completed or is constructing hydro, wind and solar power plants. Second, it has begun trialing electric buses in public transportation. Third, it introduced green finance products to support the green economy - such as the Fund for the Development of Renewable Energy, created through collaboration between the Argentine government and the World Bank.  

The institutionalization of China-LAC green development cooperation

In recent years, China and Brazil, as well as China and Argentina, have made new breakthroughs in green economy cooperation, driving the broader development of China-Latin America green collaboration. This process requires joint efforts from governments, enterprises and research institutions to transform their complementary strengths into structured and institutionalized mechanisms.

At the governmental level, China-Brazil relations were further elevated to "a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet" during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2024.

At the enterprise level, Chinese companies in Brazil have focused their efforts on the energy and new energy vehicle sectors. In the energy sector, China General Nuclear Power Group recently brought its first self-built greenfield solar power project in Brazil, the Lagoinha solar project, to full capacity operation, which is expected to have an installed capacity of 165 megawatts. In the new energy vehicle sector, BYD invested in establishing a historic landmark in the Brazilian automotive industry in 2023.

At the research level, with the approval of China's Ministry of Science and Technology, six Chinese institutions jointly established the "China-Latin America Joint Laboratory for Clean Energy and Climate Change" in 2021, in collaboration with four institutions from Brazil, Cuba and Peru.

At the government level of China-Argentina green development cooperation, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014. In 2023, Argentina and China signed an agreement to collaborate on scientific research focusing on natural resources and cleaner energy. At the enterprise level, Chinese companies have actively participated in Argentina's green development through investment and cooperation in lithium resource development, solar and wind power projects, and public transportation. The 315 MW Cauchari Jujuy Solar PV Project is now operational. Generating over 1 million megawatt-hours annually, it can supply electricity to 250,000 households. BYD and China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, in cooperation with local Argentine governments, are supplying electric buses and new energy light rail trains, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly public transportation. 

At the research level, scientific institutions from both countries are deepening green cooperation through academic and technological exchange. In April 2021, the China-Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center was launched to support both countries' efforts in energy conservation, emission reduction, climate change response and sustainable development.

China-LAC cooperation in green development is rooted in the complementarity between LAC countries and China. In fact, a solid foundation for this cooperation already exists and can be further leveraged to advance green development and, in turn, strengthen existing mechanisms.

First, the multilateral mechanism of the China-CELAC Forum should continue to play a key role. It serves as an important platform for reaching consensus on green development. For example, the Beijing Declaration adopted at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum serves as a joint commitment statement to green development cooperation.

Second, given the diversity of national conditions across LAC, including differences in resource advantages and priority concerns, it is essential to conduct detailed consultations and accurately identify each country's specific needs to determine appropriate cooperation strategies. China and LAC countries can discuss specific green development initiatives within existing bilateral frameworks or establish sub-committees when necessary to enhance policy coordination.

Third, while policy guidance is crucial, active input and participation from enterprises are equally important. Moreover, deeper collaboration among research institutions is needed to identify the green development models best suited to local resource conditions of LAC countries.

The author is director of the Brazil Research Center under the Shanghai International Studies University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn