This article**[China**Net];
For some time now, the plight of the European solar industry has been highlighted, and some Europeans who attribute it to "unfair competition from China" have naturally begun to think about protective measures such as anti-dumping investigations and emergency import haltation.
In the face of the impact of more advantageous imported products and the overall oversupply of the market, some domestic PV manufacturers in Europe are said to have reached a "crisis point", and the industry has warned that unless emergency measures are taken, half of the local production capacity may be shut down in a few weeks.
China plays an irreplaceable key role in the global renewable energy sector, accounting for more than 90% of the European solar industry's supply needs. China is also a major importer of wind turbines in Europe.
While it may not be difficult to scapegoat Chinese companies as "scapegoats" to ease the anxieties of Europe's domestic industries, Europeans should also think twice, as any restrictive measures could have a substantial impact on their "ambitious" green transition goals.
Any potential measures will need to be weighed against the goals we have set for the energy transition. European Commission Commissioner for Finance Meréad McGuinness told the European Parliament on Monday.
The European region will have 260GW of solar capacity in 2023, while the EU has set a target of 750GW of solar capacity by 2030. But last year, only 3% of the solar panels installed in Europe were produced by local companies, and the vast majority relied on Chinese imports, thanks to which solar panels** achieved a 40% decline. As a result, European countries also saw a year-on-year surge in solar capacity last year, up more than 40% from 2022.
As German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a letter to the European Commission in November last year, any restrictions on the market would halt the rapid expansion of green energy in Europe, and 90% of the solar panels on the market would face price increases. He added that the move could lead to the bankruptcy of EU companies that rely on imported parts to assemble solar panels.
China's current leading position in the global renewable energy sector is determined by a number of factors, such as China's large domestic market, large investment and R&D investment, and economies of scale. Implementing a first-class defensive strategy against Chinese companies will only create a "lose-lose" situation, and will never really save Europe's PV manufacturing industry, and may also cause a sharp decline in solar installations in the region.
Both China and the EU are committed to working together to combat climate change, and clean energy cooperation is also an important part of the EU-China strategic partnership. The two sides should strengthen the momentum of cooperation in the field of clean energy, not weaken, and jointly contribute to the fight against climate change.
This article was compiled from an editorial in China** on February 8.
Original title: Protective Measures Will dent Eu's Green Goals
Produced by: China's ** Editorial Office.