Project developers appeal for EU strategy to reach 20 GW production capacity

Eight major developers of PV projects – Akuo Energy, Amarenco, BayWa r.e., EDF, Enel Green Power, Engie, Iberdrola Renewables and Vattenfall Solar – have sent a letter to the European Commission as well as EU member state government leaders calling for the rapid development of a strategy to build 20 GW of solar industry production capacity by 2030. The signees put the current capacity for solar cell production at two GW in their letter, which was supported by the European solar industry association Solar Power Europe.
Europe has largely withdrawn from the strategically important stages of the solar value chain, the letter states, leaving most project developers in the EU to rely on a limited number of suppliers in just a few non-European countries. While there has been »fruitful cooperation« with these suppliers in recent years, the value chain nevertheless needs to be diversified in the medium term. This is necessary to ensure healthy competition between suppliers, as well as continued innovation, improved sustainability of supply chains and to »strengthen the resilience of the industry in case of future shocks.« A strategy to this end should be endorsed by the EU Competitiveness Council later this year, the letter says.
The signatories specifically point to India and the U.S., which »have already identified the solar PV industry as strategic and are reinvesting into domestic manufacturing.« A level playing field must be created for European companies, and the EU must quickly »provide the right de-risking capacities«.
© PHOTON