The Global Energy Interconnection Plan is

The Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) is a Chinese-led initiative proposing an ultra-high-voltage (UHV) global electricity network linking over 80 countries with renewable energy and smart-grid infrastructure.

Overview

The GEI plan was conceived by the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and proposed by SGCC Chairman Liu Zhenya in 2015, with public endorsement by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the UN Sustainable Development Summit on September 26, 2015 . The initiative aims to connect renewable energy producers to consumers worldwide through a network of ultra-high-voltage (UHV) AC and DC transmission lines, integrated with smart-grid technologies .

Scope and Phases

The GEI is structured as an eighteen-line backbone spanning 80 countries, with a projected implementation period of 50 years . Its development is divided into three main phases:

1. Phase 1: Integration of national grids, construction of new smart grids, and expansion of renewable energy usage.
2. Phase 2: Connection of continental grids to enable cross-border energy flow.
3. Phase 3 (2030–2070): Development of Afro-Eurasian transcontinental grids linked by UHV systems .

Technical Features

• Ultra-High-Voltage Transmission: AC lines ≥1,000 kV and DC lines ≥±800 kV.
• Smart Grid Integration: Automated control, dynamic feedback, and demand response across all nodes.
• Renewable Energy Focus: Large-scale deployment of wind, solar, and other clean energy sources.
• Global Interoperability: Standards-based approach to facilitate international adoption and system integration .

International Engagement

The GEI has been incorporated into global sustainability frameworks, including:

• UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development via the GEI Action Plan (2017).
• Paris Agreement implementation through the GEI Action Plan (2018).
• UN Environment Assembly initiatives for global environmental protection (2019).
• Partnerships with UNDESA, UNESCAP, African Union, League of Arab States, and GCC .

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

The GEI represents both a technical and geopolitical initiative, extending China's influence in energy infrastructure across Asia, Africa, and the Global South. While it promotes renewable energy and sustainability, it also raises considerations regarding energy sovereignty, technological dependence, and global standards alignment . In summary, the Global Energy Interconnection Plan refers to the Chinese-led, long-term initiative to create a worldwide UHV electricity network integrating renewable energy and smart-grid technologies, with phased implementation, international collaboration, and significant geopolitical implications .