Wind Energy News
WIND DAILY
China says 'highly concerned' over EU probe into wind turbine suppliers
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
China says 'highly concerned' over EU probe into wind turbine suppliers
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) April 10, 2024

Beijing said Wednesday it was "highly concerned" over a European Union probe into Chinese wind turbine suppliers, the latest move by Brussels targeting the country over green tech subsidies suspected of undermining fair competition.

The EU is seeking to massively ramp up renewable energy as it aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while moving away from excessive reliance on cheaper Chinese technology.

The bloc's competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, announced the inquiry into Chinese wind turbine suppliers during a speech Tuesday in the United States.

She said the investigation would look into the development of wind parks in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria.

Beijing hit back on Wednesday, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Nig slamming EU "protectionism", telling journalists it "protects backwardness... and causes multiple losses".

"We urge the European side to abide by WTO rules and market principles, and China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," she said.

"China is highly concerned about the discriminatory measures taken by the European side against Chinese enterprises and even industries," Mao added.

- US concerns -

The EU's probe comes on the heels of recent criticism from the United States over China's excess industrial capacity.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen this week rounded off a trip to the world's second-largest economy, saying Washington "will not accept" underpriced Chinese goods flooding the global market.

The United States is concerned that Beijing subsidies are leading to more production capacity than global markets can absorb, resulting in a surge of cheap exports in sectors such as solar and electric vehicles and stifling the growth of those industries elsewhere.

Yellen on Monday said massive Chinese government support more than a decade ago had led to below-cost steel flooding the global market, which "decimated industries across the world and in the United States".

"I've made clear that President Biden and I will not accept that reality again," she told a news conference at the US ambassador's residence, adding that America's allies and partners shared similar concerns.

- Multiple probes -

The EU's wind turbine probe follows earlier investigations targeting Chinese subsidies for solar panels, electric cars and trains, as trade tensions heat up with Beijing.

Brussels launched its newest probe under rules that came into force last year and seek to prevent foreign subsidies from undermining fair competition in the EU.

Chinese wind turbines are currently being offered in Europe at prices up to 50 percent lower than European-made ones, according to the WindEurope industry lobby.

The EU opened its first probe under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in February, targeting a subsidiary of Chinese rail giant CRRC. That investigation was closed after the subsidiary withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria to supply electric trains.

A second probe announced last week targets Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build and operate a photovoltaic park in Romania, partly financed by European funds.

Two separate consortiums are under investigation in that case, one of which includes a subsidiary of China's Longi Green Energy Technology -- the world's biggest solar panel manufacturer.

The second is made up of two subsidiaries of China's state-owned Shanghai Electric group.

Under a different set of rules, Brussels last September started a probe into subsidies for Chinese electric cars.

Related Links
Wind Energy News at Wind Daily

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WIND DAILY
EU probes Chinese wind turbine suppliers over subsidies
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) April 9, 2024
The European Union on Tuesday announced a probe into Chinese wind turbine suppliers, the latest move by Brussels targeting Beijing over green tech subsidies suspected of undermining fair competition. The 27-nation bloc is seeking to massively ramp up renewable energy as it aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while moving away from excessive reliance on cheaper Chinese technology. "Today, we are launching a new inquiry into Chinese suppliers of wind turbines," EU competition chief ... read more

WIND DAILY
IAEA warns that attacks on Ukraine plant mark new risks in war

IAEA to meet on nuclear plant targeted in Ukraine conflict

Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant damaged in drone attack

Kyiv, Moscow trade accusations of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant attacks

WIND DAILY
Project receives funding for advanced solar-thermal research

Quantum Material Achieves Up to 190% Efficiency in Solar Cells

Improving Solar and Wind Power Integration in the U.S. Grid

New four-terminal tandem organic solar cell achieves 16,94% power conversion efficiency

WIND DAILY
Transforming CO2 into green fuel with innovative sunlight-powered catalyst

Turning CO2 into Methanol at Room Temperature

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

WIND DAILY
Russian 'shadow fleet' ups risk of Baltic Sea spill: Finland

RTX Satellite Launch Aids in Global Methane Emission Reduction Efforts

US denies secret bases in Venezuela-Guyana border row

Venezuela says US building 'secret' bases in disputed Essequibo

WIND DAILY
Australia PM unveils plan to overhaul economy, invest in green energy

Putin says Ukraine energy strikes to demilitarise country

Global warming will 'decimate' G20 economies without unity: UN climate head

Climate pledges of big firms 'critically insufficient': report

WIND DAILY
Innovative Seron Electronics Paves the Way for Accessible Scientific Research

Dig deep: US bets on geothermal to become renewable powerhouse

Setting a laser like sight on a path to practical fusion

Unveiling a new class of plasma waves: implications for fusion energy

WIND DAILY
Volkswagen to invest additional 2.5 bn euros in China

GM says Cruise robotaxis back on the road with human drivers

Aston Martin to make petrol cars 'for as long as allowed'

Bikes overtake cars in Paris

WIND DAILY
Farmers dump sheep killed by wolves in front of Swiss government building

Youth and Women Spearhead Agricultural Renaissance in Senegal

Diversified Farming Proves Beneficial for Food Security and Biodiversity

Pakistan facing 30 percent water shortage for sowing season

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.