EU cannot close borders to solar imports - Commissioner for Energy
Struggling European solar panel manufacturers should receive help, but the EU cannot close its borders to cheaper imports, according to the European Commissioner for Energy.
Factory closures among Europe's handful of solar panel makers have prompted the industry to look for emergency support from Brussels.
Struggling European manufacturers of solar panels should receive help from the European Union. However, the EU cannot close its borders to cheaper imports.
This is according to European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, who said a ban on imports could compromise the EU's ability to install enough solar energy capacity to meet climate targets.
Most solar panels and parts deployed in Europe are imported from China.
Factory closures
A number of factory closures in Europe have prompted the region's handful of solar panel manufacturers to look for emergency support from Brussels - potentially including trade restrictions on cheap Chinese imports that European companies have struggled to compete with.
"There are different proposals on how we can support our industry, but clearly we cannot close our borders because we need solar panels," Simson told reporters on her arrival at a meeting of EU countries' energy ministers.
"We have to support our industry, but we need all the products to meet our very ambitious targets," she added.
Suggested forms of support include using more national state aid to support solar manufacturers and organising solar auctions and support schemes that uphold solar panels with high environmental and labour standards - criteria that could give EU manufacturers an advantage.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access for 30 days.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: EU cannot close borders to solar imports - Commissioner for Energy
Struggling European solar panel manufacturers should receive help, but the EU cannot close its borders to cheaper imports, according to the European Commissioner for Energy.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Struggling European manufacturers of solar panels should receive help from the European Union. However, the EU cannot close its borders to cheaper imports.
This is according to European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, who said a ban on imports could compromise the EU's ability to install enough solar energy capacity to meet climate targets.
Most solar panels and parts deployed in Europe are imported from China.
Factory closures
A number of factory closures in Europe have prompted the region's handful of solar panel manufacturers to look for emergency support from Brussels - potentially including trade restrictions on cheap Chinese imports that European companies have struggled to compete with.
"There are different proposals on how we can support our industry, but clearly we cannot close our borders because we need solar panels," Simson told reporters on her arrival at a meeting of EU countries' energy ministers.
"We have to support our industry, but we need all the products to meet our very ambitious targets," she added.
Suggested forms of support include using more national state aid to support solar manufacturers and organising solar auctions and support schemes that uphold solar panels with high environmental and labour standards - criteria that could give EU manufacturers an advantage.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS