09/02/2024 (Agence Europe) – In a new analysis published on Thursday 8 February, the Bruegel think-tank looks at the massive dependence on Chinese imports of solar panels, raising concerns about Europe’s economic security. This has led it to adopt strategies such as import substitution, with a non-binding 40% self-sufficiency benchmark to be achieved by 2030. However, the authors of the analysis suggest that this type of approach risks increasing the cost of solar panels, slowing deployment and creating industries that are overly dependent on subsidies. They are therefore relying on alternative tools such as accelerating the deployment of solar energy, building up strategic stocks and gradually diversifying import sources (see EUROPE 13346/10). Finally, they consider that the EU can strengthen its economic resilience through an industrial policy that intervenes in sectors with greater potential to contribute to sustainable economic growth. To see the analysis: https://aeur.eu/f/as7 (PLD)