The European Commission has presented the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU and prepare the Union for the clean energy transition. This initiative was introduced as part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan by Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market:
“Our dependency on Russian gas has taught us a number of lessons. Let’s not replace that dependency with a reliance on others to produce solar panels and other technologies we rely on. With the Net-Zero Industry Act, we are building a strong manufacturing base in Europe along the clean technology value chain. To ensure our security of supply and remain an industrial leader that exports its products and technologies – not its jobs.” – Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market – 15/03/2023
The act aims to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of net-zero technologies manufacturing in the EU while ensuring a more sustainable and secure energy system. The initiative will provide favorable conditions to establish net-zero projects in Europe, attract investments, and increase the Union’s strategic net-zero technologies manufacturing capacity to 40% of its deployment requirements by 2030. This will expedite the EU’s progress towards its 2030 climate and energy objectives and promote the transition to climate neutrality. Additionally, it will enhance the competitiveness of EU industry, create quality jobs, and support the Union’s to become energy independence.
With the Net-Zero Industry Act, the EU is set to boost the production of PV solar energy, as part of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the industrial sector. The act aims to support the development of advanced PV solar technologies and the production of photovoltaic modules, inverters, and other related equipment within the EU. This move is expected to attract more investment into the sector and to help create green jobs, while also boosting the region’s manufacturing capabilities.
Read more here.
The DG CLIMA is set to launch new calls for proposals under the Innovation Fund, presenting a golden opportunity for the solar industry to thrive and contribute significantly to Europe's green transition.
Co-led under EIT InnoEnergy, the European Solar PV Industry Alliance has attracted over 110 new members across 17 countries to launch an industrial action plan.
Last 30th of June, the Dutch government awarded the SolarNL project with a total of €312M grant plus a €100M loan under the National Growth Fund. Supporting large-scale production of ‘circular’ solar cells and panels within the Netherlands, SolarNL will boost the manufacturing and integration of solar energy solutions, while contributing to the energy transition and fostering energy independence for the Netherlands and the European Union.