Today in Brussels, Internal Market and Industry Ministers from the 27 EU Member States met to adopt the Draghi Report on the ‘Future of EU Competitiveness’. They discussed the integral role of the single market in shaping European competitiveness, and the importance of domestic manufacturing of clean tech.
SolarPower Europe has issued the following reaction.
Anett Ludwig, Head of Supply Chains at SolarPower Europe, (she/her) said:
"We are glad to see that EU Ministers have formally adopted the key principles of the Draghi report. Clean competitiveness will be the driver for prosperity for our citizens and our businesses.
The solar boom of the early 2020s was key to reducing expenditure on imported Russian gas during the energy crisis and solar continues to be essential for EU’s competitiveness. We would urge EU leaders to focus on the competitiveness tools that are available today, are swift to build, and offer the lowest electricity costs.
It is important that Ministers continue to recognise the value in supporting the European manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technology, like solar modules and inverters. While the new European Commission enters office and drafts the Clean Industrial Deal, EU countries should be working to swiftly introduce the principles of the Net-Zero Industry Act that will support our homegrown industry.
It’s positive that the meeting dedicated time to discuss Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). From the Draghi Report and the confirmation process of the new Commissioners, the idea of a new and improved IPCEI tool is clearly emerging as a structural boost to competitiveness and innovation in key industries. We’re calling on Member States and the European Commission to support an IPCEI based on smart and secure electrification, including vital technologies like solar inverters.”
Notes
- New modelling shows that more renewables, electrification and flexibility can boost European competitiveness, slashing average day-ahead energy prices by 25% by 2030, and by 33% by 2040. Discover Mission Solar 2040.
- In November 2024, SolarPower Europe, and its Board, issued a statement calling for Europe to support its inverter industry. In June 2024, SolarPower Europe called for an Inverter-based IPCEI.
- In the six months since the signing of the European Solar Charter, there have been positive steps in supporting solar manufacturing on the continent. However, support is spread unevenly across Europe and is not at the level required. Read our State of Play Report here.
- SolarPower Europe is calling for a robust industrial strategy with a number of key components: the European Commission adjusting State Aid rules to support the running costs of factories, structured support from the European Investment Bank, dedicated EU Financing and speedy implementation of the NZIA. This industrial strategy must be underpinned by clear market access standards that reflect Europe’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values, in particular via the upcoming EU Eco-design Directive and Energy Labelling rules for solar PV, which have not been concluded yet as well as the Implementation Guidelines of the EU Forced Labour Ban (FLB) regulation and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
Questions? Get in touch.
Bethany Meban
Head of Press and Policy Communications
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