Brussels, 06/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Led by Christofer -Fjellner (ALDE, Sweden), 14 MEPs from six political groups and nine EU member states have called on the European Commission, in a letter on 2 October, not to renew the minimum import prices for solar cells and modules from China, and not to renew the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties that target certain Chinese exporters of these products, when these measures expire in December.
The level of solar installations in Europe dropped from 17 gigawatts in 2012 to 7 gigawatts in 2014. This has had a considerable impact on jobs in the solar sector, which have fallen from 265,000 in 2011 to 120,000 today. “The European duties on Chinese solar products, and the price undertaking, contributed to this slowdown in annual growth of installations in Europe”, the MEPs write.
Putting an end to minimum import prices at the end of 2015 as planned will support the European solar sector by boosting the value chain. This will enable the sector to contribute to the supply of low-carbon electricity, the MEPs state. “A return to market prices will also help consumers to buy quality products, at the best possible prices. This reflects the need to put the interests of energy consumers at the heart of Europe's Energy Union policy”, they continue.
“Free trade and the environment go hand in hand. With the EU's very ambitious climate targets, EU trade policy should do everything it can to help reach those goals. But by restricting free trade and imposing a high minimum import price on solar panels, we are making it more difficult for ordinary citizens and businesses to do their part in reducing carbon emissions”, says Fjellner in a press release published by the European photovoltaic industry association, SolarPower Europe (the former EPIA), on Tuesday 6 October.
The MEPs who signed the letter along with Fjellner are Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, Germany), Seb Dance (S&D, UK), Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, Netherlands), Fredrick Federley (ALDE, Sweden), Vicky Ford (ECR, UK), Sean Kelly (EPP, Ireland), Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany), Emma McClarkin (ECR, UK), Rolandas Paksas (EFDD, Lithuania), Morten Helveg Petersen (ALDE, Sweden), Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, Finland), Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (EPP, Germany) and Tibor Szanyi (S&D, Hungary).
On 22 September, 21 European solar industry associations from 19 EU member states, coming together under the banner of SolarPower Europe, called on the Commission not to renew the measures targeting imports of Chinese solar products. The associations that signed this call came from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK and represent over 80% of the solar sector in Europe (see EUROPE 11394).
Following up on a complaint from another European solar industry association (EuProSun), which was led by manufacturer SolarWorld, the EU has imposed measures since the end of 2013 against the dumping practices of Chinese solar panel producers and the subsidies granted them, as part of the gentleman's agreement concluded between the Commission and Chinese government in summer 2013.
This agreement is based on a price commitment that allows Chinese solar panel exporters to avoid heavy anti-dumping duties of nearly 50%. Under the terms of the agreement, 70% of Chinese solar panel producers who are committed to respecting a floor price set at 56 cents do not pay anti-dumping duties. Other Chinese producers not wanting to take part in this agreement have to pay anti-dumping duties of 47.6% (see EUROPE 10902).
These measures apply until the end of 2015, but can be renewed. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)