This report establishes the database of China’s overseas industrial parks (COIPD), covering 159 China’s overseas industrial parks(hereinafter referred to as “COIPs”) as of 2022 . Nearly half of COIPs are located in Asia, while the COIPs in Africa and Europe make up the other half. Diversified Integrated parks and agricultural development parks constitute the majority of all COIPs.

It scientifically evaluates the market size and technical potential of applying different renewable energy solutions including rooftop PV, agrivoltaics and wind in these industrial parks. This research reveals a scene on the scale of China’s overseas green investments and their significance for the host countries’ energy transitions.

There is substantial technological potential and investment prospect for renewable energy (RE) projects developed in COIPs. The maximum installed capacity for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects can reach 419.66 GW, while it can reach 116.48 GW for wind power projects, bringing around CNY 2.064 billion of investment (in future-completion scenario).

There are variations in the technological potential for developing RE projects in different types of COIPs. The technological potential for developing RE projects of COIPs in Asia and Africa stands out prominently.

By 2050, if the PV systems (in future completion scenario) and wind power systems in COIPs are fully developed, they will contribute approximately 2% towards RE installed capacity target of global net-zero emission. If the development timeline is moved up to before 2030, this contribution rate will reach nearly 5%.

Establishing a multiple-stakeholder partnership with policymakers, business investors, industrial park operators and financial institutions is crucial for fully unlocking the RE technological potential of COIPs.