BRUSSELS, 12th November, 2023 (WAM) – The EU spent €28.4 billion in 2022 on imports of green energy products (including wind turbines, solar panels and liquid biofuels) from extra-EU countries, more than double the amount in 2021 (€13.3. billion), according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Focusing on specific products, the EU imported €22.6 billion worth of solar panels in 2022, a 145% increase compared with 2021 (€9.2 billion). Increases were also recorded for liquid biofuels with 2022 imports reaching €5.1 billion, up 49% on 2021 (€3.4 billion). An increase was also recorded in imports of wind turbines, which rose 17% to €0.8 billion in 2022, from €0.6 billion (2021).
Compared with 2012, imports of all three green energy products have increased. Imports of solar panels are up 137%, imports of liquid biofuels are up 60% and imports of wind turbines are up 504%.
The value of green energy products exported by the EU to extra-EU countries was significantly lower (€3.7 billion) and was 27% lower than the corresponding 2021 figure (€5.0 billion).
Exports of wind turbines were valued at €1.3 billion in 2022, which represented a significant decrease (-59%) on those in 2021 (€3.2 billion). Solar panels totalled €0.8 billion in 2022, up 44% on 2021 (€0.6 billion). Liquid biofuel exports numbered €1.6 billion, up 23% from 2021 (€1.3 billion).
Exports of liquid biofuels only totalled €0.5 billion in 2012 and grew to €1.6 billion in 2022, representing a 235% increase on 2012 exports. Exports of solar panels have seen a more modest increase (25%), from €0.6 billion in 2012 to €0.8 billion in 2022. Wind turbine exports have recorded a -55% drop, from €2.9 billion in 2012 to €1.3 billion in 2022.