EU imports in green energy products higher than exports

In 2023, the EU imported €19.7 billion worth of solar panels, €3.9 billion of liquid biofuels and €0.3 billion worth of wind turbines from extra-EU countries.

The value of imported solar panels decreased by 12% compared with 2022 due to a drop in prices, while the quantity increased by 5%. Liquid biofuel imports recorded a 22% drop in value, with a modest 2% decline in quantity. Imports of wind turbines dropped significantly during this period, with a 66 % decrease in value and a 68% decrease in quantity.

At the same time, the EU exported €0.9 billion worth of solar panels, €2.2 billion in liquid biofuels, and €2.0 billion in wind turbines. Unlike solar panels and liquid biofuels, wind turbines exports significantly exceeded import values.

Between 2022 and 2023, the export of wind turbines saw the largest increase in value (+49 %) while their quantity increased by 26%. Exports of solar panels rose by 19 % in value and by 37% in quantity. Similarly, exports of liquid biofuels showed a higher increase in quantity compared with value (+63 % vs +36 %).

Source dataset: Eurostat extraction

This article presents a handful of findings from a more detailed Statistics Explained article on international trade in products related to green energy.

China: main partner for imports of solar panels and liquid biofuels

China was by far the largest supplier of solar panels, accounting for 98% of all imports. Wind turbines were imported mainly from India (59%) and China (29%). For liquid biofuels, China led with 36%, followed by the United Kingdom with 13% and Brazil with 12%.

Source dataset: Eurostat extraction