EU ProSun adds to EU China concerns
Further confusing the current concerns regarding China's rise to PV prominence, EU ProSun has filed an official complaint with the European Commission over illegal subsidies to Chinese solar manufacturers. EU ProSun, the Sustainable Solar Energy Initiative for Europe, represents some of the EU solar industrial production. The current global PV industry is going through massive change with oversupply and now legal actions in the USA and Europe seek to pin the blame of industrial unrest and financial problems within the industry squarely on Chinese shoulders. Despite claiming support of most of the industry, this reporter is finding most companies at the current EUPVSEC disagreeing with the actions both in the USA and Europe.
The request for an investigation of Chinese government support is distinct from the recently initiated investigation of dumped pricing practices engaged in by Chinese solar manufacturers. Both actions, government support for exports and producer dumping, are illegal under WTO rules and need to be addressed urgently by the EU authorities.
Milan Nitzschke, President of EU ProSun, said: "Chinese government subsidies are only available to Chinese companies. Massive subsidies and state intervention have stimulated overcapacity more than 20 times total Chinese consumption and close to double total global demand. Hence, more than 90% of Chinese production had to be exported. Irrational overproduction on this scale cannot generate profits. Chinese subsidies shield manufacturers from insolvency, and are pumped into solar companies even if they are unprofitable. Most Chinese solar companies would have gone bankrupt a long time ago if not for endless government subsidies. Meanwhile over 20 major European solar manufacturers have become insolvent in 2012 alone."
The US government recently determined that 12 categories of Chinese subsidies for its solar manufacturers were illegal, and that Chinese exporters have dumped solar cells in the USA at margins between 30% and 250%. The US Department of Energy estimates that the Chinese government has provided its solar manufacturers with more than €25 billion of subsidies including low interest loans, free land, and subsidised energy but this is no more than an estimate and should not be read as fact.
The USA process inexplicably used Thailand as the benchmark to judge Chinese manufacturers on and the EU action is being urged to use the USA as the benchmark for an EU ruling on China. The need to create a sensible and fair benchmark will become important for the case to maintain legitimacy.
"EU ProSun has identified many forms of significant government subsidies to Chinese solar manufacturers. For instance, Chinese banks implement government policy by giving very low interest rates to solar manufacturers, and, if the borrower cannot pay back the loan, it may be written-off, extended indefinitely or paid off by other government-controlled entities. This makes it easier, cheaper, and a lot less risky for Chinese solar companies to obtain financing," said Nitzschke.
In accordance with China's 5-Year Plan, credit lines have been granted by the state banks at very favourable lending conditions and subsidised by funds from the central government. China Development Bank Corp. alone has extended €33 billion in credit lines to 12 Chinese solar companies since 2010, according to data released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance today. In addition, regional and local subsidies have been granted, such as repayment of interest, electricity costs, transaction costs for land, value-added tax as well as credit guarantees.
"EU ProSun recently alerted the European Commission to the fact that Chinese companies are selling solar products in Europe at 60 % to 80% below their full cost. Now we call on the EU to launch an investigation into China's illegal subsidies designed to take over European and global markets," concluded Nitzschke.
