The EU is considering opening an investigation into China’s possible use of state aid to the wind industry, reports the Financial Times. This is despite Chinese dissatisfaction with a similar investigation into Chinese electric car manufacturers.

According to the acting Competition Commissioner, Didier Reynders, there are concerns that state-subsidized Chinese goods could threaten European companies.

”In the wind energy sector there are components that could be in competition with Chinese components. If there is a possibility of too much aid on the Chinese side . . . we could open an investigation in the same way [as electric vehicles],” Reynders tells French BFM TV.

An EU official source informs the Financial Times that there are sufficient grounds to justify an investigation into wind turbine parts, but also acknowledges that there are fears of retaliation.

In September, Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, called for an investigation into wind turbines made in China.

”Chinese wind equipment manufacturers have been implementing an aggressive strategy to enter European markets,” he wrote, adding that Chinese manufacturers were offering European project developers large discounts and the possibility to defer payments for up to three years.

(Translated using DeepL with additional editing by Kristoffer Grønbæk)