European Commission launches probe into two Chinese solar panels firms

Brussels – The European Commission today (April 3) started two investigations against two consortia of Chinese solar energy companies. The Enevo Group and the Shanghai Electric Group are under the magnifying glass and are accused of unfair competition.

The European Commission wants to verify that the two companies have not violated the regulation on foreign grants, according to which companies are obliged to notify their public tenders on the territory of the Union when the estimated value of the contract exceeds €250 million and when the company has received at least €4 million in foreign financial contributions from at least one third country in the three years preceding the notification.

The two consortia being watched by the European Commission have participated in a call for bids to build a solar park with a capacity of 110 megawatts in western Romania. The project is partially financed with European funds. The accusation against the Enevo Group and the Shanghai Electric Group is that they used state funding so they could submit a lower bid.

The Commission has the power to ban the contract award if it deems it necessary and must make a final decision within 110 working days. The investigations into Chinese solar panel manufacturers are part of a broader effort to promote fair competition and prevent foreign domination of key industries vital to Europe’s green transition.