by Kate Abnett
BRUSSELS, March 4 (Reuters) – The European Union must support European manufacturers of solar panels facing difficulties, but it cannot close its borders to imports of these devices, the European Commissioner for Energy said on Monday , Kadri Simson.
Factory closures at Europe’s few solar panel manufacturers have prompted the sector to ask Brussels for an emergency plan, which could include trade restrictions on imports of cheaper solar panels from China.
Kadri Simson rules out a permanent halt to imports, which she says could jeopardize the development of sufficient solar energy capacity to meet the EU’s climate targets. Most solar panels and parts deployed in Europe are imported from China.
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The European Union has set itself the objective of carbon neutrality in 2050, with a milestone in 2030 (55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions).
“There are different proposals to support our industry, but it is clear that we cannot close our borders because we need solar panels,” Kadri Simson told reporters upon arriving at a meeting of EU ministers. Energy, in Brussels.
“We need to support our industry, but we need all products to achieve our very ambitious goals,” she added.
Energy ministers from the bloc’s 27 member countries were due to examine proposals on Monday aimed at responding to the sector’s challenges.
These proposals, detailed by Kadri Simson and the European Commissioner for Industry Thierry Breton in a letter addressed to ministers before the meeting, relate in particular to an increase in state aid, auctions of solar panels and support programs to companies respecting strict environmental and social standards.
Companies responsible for installing solar panels could also commit to including EU-made products in their product ranges, said the letter, seen by Reuters.
In 2023, solar capacity in EU countries will increase by 40% year-on-year. According to data from the International Energy Agency, most of the panels and parts installed came from China, in some cases 95%. (Reporting by Kate Abnett; French version by Dagmarah Mackos, edited by Sophie Louet)
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