On Friday 9 December, the European Commission announced the launch of a new Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance.
The aim is to diversify the supply of solar panels and to significantly increase production in Europe.
The Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, referred to a “green paradox” for the European Union; namely being the most ambitious continent in terms of the green transition and yet being completely dependent on production from third countries, notably China.
“In 2021, the world produced 450 gigawatts of photovoltaic modules. European-based companies? Less than nine. In 2022, it is almost 40 gigawatts of solar PV that is expected to be installed in Europe. A new record! How? Thanks to a more than doubling of imports of PV panels from China”, he said deploringly.
Members of the Alliance are therefore committed to reaching 30 GW of European production capacity by 2025, which would generate €60 billion per year and create more than 400,000 jobs, according to the European institution. The REPowerEU initiative is intended to reach 320 GW of photovoltaic capacity by 2025 and 600 GW by 2030 (which is a divisive issue in the EU Council - see EUROPE 13080/34).
The Alliance will be overseen by a steering board, consisting of the European Commission, the Secretariat, as well as SolarPowerEurope (an association representing 280 players within the PV industry) and the European Solar Manufacturing Council, an industry interest group.
During his speech, the Commissioner stressed the importance of the Clean Tech Europe platform. Launched last week, it will ensure European sovereignty in the field of green technologies. In addition, it wants to improve the European regulatory framework, simplify licensing procedures and reviewing public procurement in order to use criteria other than price.
The Alliance will have to rely on the European Investment Bank (EIB) and State aid. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)