The European solar industry has received a potentially significant boost with the emergence of the leaked EU Clean Industrial Deal document.
The proposal to introduce domestic content requirements for public tenders involving net-zero technologies, such as solar PV, is being welcomed by the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) as a crucial step towards bolstering local production and leveling the playing field.
According to Christoph Podewils, Secretary General of the ESMC, “The EU must establish clear ‘Made in Europe’ criteria.” This sentiment underscores the core argument that Europe needs to actively support its domestic solar manufacturing base to ensure long-term energy security and competitiveness.
While the Clean Industrial Deal proposes to make local content requirements standard for public tenders, the crucial Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) has, to date, avoided explicitly incorporating this concept. This inconsistency is a point of concern for the ESMC. Podewils emphasizes the need for coherence between EU policies, urging that the same local content provisions be integrated into the NZIA, which focuses on driving public demand for European clean technologies.
“We strongly welcome the EU’s proposal for local content criteria in public procurement and renewable energy auction schemes,” Podewils states. “But EU legislation needs to be streamlined along these lines. A ‘Made in Europe’ clause should be included in the NZIA’s draft proposals.”
The context for this push is clear: European solar manufacturers face intense pressure from what is perceived as unfair competition from China. The ESMC argues that using public funds to procure solar PV should, as a matter of course, prioritize high-quality European-made products over cheaper imports.
This week, the ESMC is actively engaging in the consultation process, submitting its feedback to the four public consultations on secondary legislation under Regulation 2024/1735 of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The organization’s input will undoubtedly focus on advocating for the inclusion of strong domestic content criteria.
The European Commission is expected to officially present the Clean Industrial Deal on Wednesday, February 26th. The unveiling will be closely watched by the solar industry, as the final details will determine the extent to which Europe is committed to fostering a truly domestic and competitive solar manufacturing sector. This is more than just an economic issue; it’s about strategic autonomy and ensuring a resilient energy future for the continent.
Source: ESMC with additional information added by GlassBalkan
