China’s economic growth, industrial development as well as its rapid urbanization process during the past years has led to a surge in energy demand. Within the framework of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), the Chinese government set the target to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by another 15 percent by 2020, focusing on energy efficiency measures. Being responsible for roughly one third of primary energy demand, the Chinese building sector offers great potential for reducing energy consumption. Annually 1 to 1.5 billion square meters of living space are added, whereof one square meter still requires four times more energy for heating and cooling than the European average. 

In order to further reduce resource consumption, green buildings, low-energy projects and the integration of renewable energy sources in buildings are supposed to be increased in the coming years and a large number of existing residential and industrial buildings are expected to be refurbished. As German companies enjoy a stellar reputation throughout the world for their high-quality technical products and expertise, particularly in the field of green building and energy efficiency, this provides promising market opportunities for sustainable building technologies and services in China. 

To help especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to tap into such opportunities in China and other countries, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) established its Energy Export Initiative in 2007. In the context of the initiative, AHK Greater China has already successfully organized a wide range of fact-finding missions to Germany as well as business trips to China, in order to support Sino-German partnership development in the field of energy efficiency. Moreover, in October 2015, AHK Greater China, with the support of BMWi, organized a technology showcase of five selected building projects in Beijing. More than 100 participants from German and Chinese ministries, enterprises and organizations of the building sector in China, as well as media representatives, attended the one-day event series, which was comprised of a factory visit, expert symposium and an official award ceremony. 

As a result of the successful activities and to celebrate innovative German energy-efficient technologies and services, AHK Greater China will organize a second showcase event this year, supported by BMWi. The technology showcase “Energy Efficiency Made in Germany” will be held on 5 June 2019 in Beijing and will present a selection of best-practice building projects in North China. 

Through a competitive selection process, five German companies have been nominated to actively participate in this unique event and present their building solutions to a broad range of experts, decision makers and media representatives. The successful projects were chosen by an expert jury in Germany and China based on five key criteria, namely energy efficiency achieved, degree of innovation, modernity, quality as a best practice project, and potential media interest. The selected objects will, subsequently, be further promoted and featured in a bilingual German-Chinese brochure. 

The showcase targets German companies that successfully implemented building projects with innovative energy-efficient technologies in Chinese buildings together with a local partner. Additionally, the project aims to raise awareness and demonstrate to the Chinese public how German technologies, products and services are already successfully applied in building projects across North China. 

For the successful implementation of energy-saving building plans of the Chinese government, innovative reference objects play a significant role due to their signal effect for other projects. In China, it is standard practice to first test new ideas and reforms in a small format before implementing them on a national scale. Energy-efficient technologies and building solutions, which can prove their usefulness in reference objects, can hope for potential nation-wide support and adoption. Showcase events therefore open-up promising opportunities for German companies in this sector, allowing them to possibly gain favorable access to the Chinese market. 

The activities of the Energy Export Initiative provide in-depth knowledge and support to exploit the full potential that lies in the Chinese green building sector. In order to do so, a thorough market preparation, recruitment of qualified personnel as well as suitable market strategies and cooperation partners are key factors for success. As an experienced partner, AHK Greater China will support German companies in this endeavor with further activities throughout the coming years, with its access to local stakeholders and building market expertise.

Article Resource：Econet Monitor Special Green Building