The European Commission has extended its probe of Chinese turbine manufacturers to projects in other member states, including Germany, after being alerted to potential market distortions linked to foreign subsidies, an EC spokeswoman has confirmed.
“Since the opening of a preliminary review under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation regarding the conditions for the development of certain wind projects in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria, we have received further information indicating potential distortions in the development of wind projects in other member states, including in Germany,” she said.
“We have sent requests for information to further assess this information and the existence of potential foreign subsidies distorting the internal market.”
The latest twist comes after Brussels officials launched an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices in Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania and Spain.
Announcing the original probe in April, Commission Executive Vice-President for Competition Margarethe Vestager claimed the large excess capacities of Chinese wind turbines “is not only dangerous for our competitiveness, it also jeopardises our economic security”.