Europe boosts green technology competition

The European Parliament and European Union (EU) member states have just approved relaxed regulations to increase the competitiveness of green technology industries in the old continent with China and the US.

A wind farm in Germany. Photo: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Priority production in Europe

In the context of facing multiple risks such as soaring energy prices, strong competition from China and the US affecting Europe's green industries, more than a year ago, the European Commission (EC) proposed proposals to enhance the competitiveness of businesses. The plan, called "Industrial plan for a green deal in the era of carbon neutrality", focuses on further loosening regulations on state funding for green projects as well as reducing legal constraints. This time, the loosening regulations continue in that direction. Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, heat pumps, renewable hydrogen... are the technology areas that the EU prioritizes for the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, creating energy autonomy and escaping dependence on Russian oil and gas.

On February 6, the EC proposed targets to reduce carbon emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels by 2040 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Brussels is backing these sectors to boost production in Europe and gain a bigger share of the clean energy market, which is expected to triple to 600 billion euros ($646 billion) a year by 2030. Unlike the EC’s previous proposal, the new document approves the inclusion of the entire nuclear sector in the list of strategic technologies, a major victory for France and about 10 other countries that are researching and developing atomic energy to ensure a carbon-free electricity supply. However, each member state is still free to exclude nuclear energy or any other technology from the new support measures.

Don't want to fall behind

The race for dominance in green industries has accelerated globally in recent years. As an early mover, China has set ambitious goals in its recent five-year plan, notably making a breakthrough in the electric car market. Other countries that have followed suit, such as Canada, Japan, and the United States, have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in green technology, causing concern in the EU. The 27-nation bloc has realized that it must act if it does not want to suffer a new wave of production relocation and fall behind in the green industry race.

MEP Christophe Grudler acknowledged that today, most clean technology products are manufactured outside the EU, leading to strategic dependence on third countries, such as more than 90% of solar panels installed in Europe today are produced in China. In addition, the European plan is also to counter the state subsidy policy for green industry in China and the US.

The EU has set a target of meeting 40% of its green technology needs with its own factories by 2030. However, the program only requires 1.5 billion euros (about 1.6 billion USD) from available funds such as the research and development fund. Germany and several other major contributors to the EU budget have rejected the idea of a European sovereign fund to boost European industry and increase its attractiveness and competitiveness.

MINH CHAU

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