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Solar power in Europe: Free trade or trade duties?

12-10-2016

Solar power in Europe: Free trade or trade duties?

Europe is the most solarised region in the world with 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power installed. Back in 2013, the European Commission imposed trade defence measures on solar modules and cells imported from China. While module manufacturers welcomed the action, technology manufacturers and developers argued that such a move would drive up the cost of solar panels, leading to a slowdown in the deployment of the technology and job losses across the industry.

In December 2015, the European Commission announced a review of the measures. It is expected to make a decision by early 2017.

EURACTIV organised this high-level stakeholder workshop to discuss the trade duties on solar modules and cells imported from China. Questions included:
- Do trade measures limit the full potential of solar power in Europe?
- Can the abolishing of trade duties create more jobs in Europe?
- What outcomes can be expected from the review?

Do not miss our Special Report Sunlight at the end of the tunnel?
Europe is the most solarised region in the world, but deployment of technology needs to be stepped up if the bloc is to meet its climate commitments.
Meanwhile the EU and China have been locked in a long-running trade war over Chinese solar products, with the European Commission imposing punitive anti-dumping measures on Chinese imports.
This Special Report investigates whether the time is right to remove those duties, as the Commission considers whether to bring the dispute to an end or keep the measures in place.

Interview to MEP Christopher Fjellner, one of our speakers, on EU tariffs on Chinese solar imports

Supported by:

Location

Euractiv Network Office
Boulevard Charlemagne 1, 1041 Brussels

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Panellists

HE Ambassador Anders Ahnlid, Permanent Representative, Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU
Dr. Frank Hoffmeister, Head of Unit Anti-Circumvention, DG TRADE
Christofer Fjellner MEP, Member of the Committee on International Trade
Dr. Stephan Singer, Senior Advisor Global Energy Policies, Climate Action Network International
Dr. James Watson, CEO, SolarPower Europe

Schedule

12.00 – 12.30 Registration and networking lunch
12.30 – 13.00 Input statements
13.00 – 14.00 Open debate and conclusion