As Europe accelerates its green transformation, industry insiders in the photovoltaic industry in Spain and Portugal recently expressed optimism about the prospect of cooperation with Chinese companies in the field of solar power generation.
The Francisco Pizarro Solar Power Plant located in the Extremadura autonomous region in southwestern Spain is the largest operational photovoltaic power plant in Europe. It was constructed and operated by the Spanish power company Iberdrola Group and was put into use last summer. When the reporter visited the power plant a few days ago, he learned that all the solar panels it uses come from China.
The company's Extremadura region renewable energy development commissioner Jose Belliote told reporters at the scene that the Francisco Pizarro solar power plant has an installed capacity of about 590 megawatts and is composed of 1.5 million solar cells. panels, 13,700 trackers, and 313 inverters, providing green and clean energy to 334,000 households.
Belliott said that the photovoltaic panels made in China did not have any problems after they were put into operation. "Chinese photovoltaic products are just right for our needs."
Spain is the second largest solar power market in Europe. According to a report released by the European Solar Energy Industry Association at the end of last year, by the end of 2022, the total installed photovoltaic capacity in Spain is expected to reach 26.4 GW, with an increase of 7.5 GW last year alone. Data show that in 2022, the EU will add 41.1 GW of new photovoltaic installed capacity, an increase of 47% over 2021.
Jose Donoso Alonso, secretary-general of the Spanish Photovoltaic Association, told reporters that the quality and cost advantages of Chinese photovoltaic products are obvious to all. At present, Spain mainly imports inverters and photovoltaic panels from China, and these products are very competitive. .
Portugal is also a major importer of Chinese photovoltaic products. Pedro Amaral Jorge, CEO of the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association, told reporters that photovoltaic panels made in China account for about 85% of Portugal's market share, and all of them have received the highest quality certification. etc. approval.
Alonso said that Spain plans to have a total photovoltaic installed capacity of 30 GW by 2030, but considering the interest shown by investors and the development of the industry, this target is expected to be increased to 55 GW to 65 GW. Georges said that Portugal plans to have a total installed photovoltaic capacity of 9 GW by 2030, but the government may raise the target to 18 GW to 20 GW.
Alonso believes that the cooperation between Spain and China is crucial to promoting the development of the global photovoltaic industry, and the large-scale development of the photovoltaic industry in Spain will also help China open up the European market.
George said that if the total installed photovoltaic capacity of Portugal reaches 20 GW, cooperation with China must be strengthened, and Chinese enterprises are expected to carry out more construction and investment in the European photovoltaic industry.