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Green Globe: European solar industry asks EU to end Chinese import duties early

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Green Globe: European solar industry asks EU to end Chinese import duties early

SNL Image
A worker at the Amareleja solar plant in southern Portugal.
Source: Associated Press

More than 250 European solar companies and trade organizations sent a letter to the European Commission's president, asking for an end to duties on imported solar panel materials from China, Taiwan and Malaysia.

The solar trade measures, which include minimum import prices, anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on cells and modules, have been a point of tension between the European Union and Asia for more than five years, according to the European Institute for Asian Studies in Belgium. A group of European solar panel manufacturers led by SolarWorld AG petitioned the European Commission in 2012 to take action on alleged unfair competition from lower-priced Chinese imports. After the EU executive cabinet launched an investigation into Chinese solar panels, the EU and China reached an agreement in July 2013 to avoid a trade war.

Since that agreement, discussion has continued among the European Commission, EU member states and the solar sector on how long the minimum import prices and duties would last. The EU extended the agreement on minimum import prices and tariffs in 2017, while lowering the price on a quarterly basis. The duties are scheduled to phase out by Sept. 3, but the European solar industry wants the EU governing body to take action now.

"It is time for the European Commission to live up to their promise…and phase out these highly damaging measures," the companies and trade groups said in the letter. Because of the trade measures, "European demand for solar has reduced, EU jobs have been lost and competitiveness impaired. Conversely, European solar module and cell production has continued to decline."

JERA Co. Inc., Lyon Group and Fluence Energy LLC announced that they are working together to explore opportunities for energy storage solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue energy storage projects across the region, including in JERA's operating power fleet in Japan.

The companies will initially focus on building solar-plus-storage projects across Australia, according to a joint May 29 press release. Hybrid renewable energy projects have picked up momentum in the country; developer Neoen S.A.S., for example, received planning approval for its 160-MW wind-plus-storage project on May 21. Lyon developed and sold Australia's first grid-connected, large-scale PV and battery storage project and Fluence is supplying a 30-MW energy storage solution to a regional grid in the country.

"Australia is working to solve difficult 'grid-in-transition' issues at scale as they usher in the next generation electricity network that is cleaner, lower cost and more reliable," Jan Teichmann, Fluence's vice president of global markets, said in a statement.

Economic development organizations are creating a program to help develop 10,000 MW of solar power across the Sahel region of Africa in order to boost the continent's electrification.

The African Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund and the Africa50 investment fund have signed a letter of intent to form the Desert to Power program, the groups announced May 29. The initiative's goal is to provide electricity from solar to 250 million people, including 90 million through off-grid solutions. The Sahel region separates Africa's Sahara Desert from the Sudanian Savanna and includes parts of Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan. The three organizations will share ideas and resources to develop the region's renewable energy resources, helping to alleviate poverty and fulfill the countries' national plans for fighting climate change.

"Sahel countries have identified the potential of solar power to bring green energy to people across the region," Green Climate Fund executive director Howard Bamsey said in a statement.

Elsewhere

* Worldwide power demand from electric vehicles will soar to between 404 TWh and 928 TWh by 2030, up from the estimated 54 TWh consumed by EVs in 2017, according to the International Energy Agency.

* Siemens AG will invest €10 million in Swedish lithium-ion battery startup Northvolt AB.

* Enel SpA has connected the first 45 MW feeder of the 137.7-MW Bungala Solar One project in Australia.

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