Messaritis Renewables, as a member of Solar Power Europe (SPE), supported its initiative for the empowerment of the energy sector in Europe by signing at 12 October 2016 a letter to European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, asking her to end the trade measures in place since 2012 on Chinese solar modules and cells. This action was supported by more than 400 European companies.

Our company stands in favor of Christian Westermeier, Board Director of Solar Power Europe, who added: ‘For European manufacturers in the solar value chain the measures have been ruinous and have led to the loss of thousands of jobs in manufacturing. The removal of these trade measures will stimulate growth in European manufacturing all along the solar value chain and support the process of regaining this lost European employment.’

The case represents the largest ever trade dispute between the EU and China and seriously impacts the possibility for Europe to reach its climate objectives. The Expiry Review into the trade duties placed on solar modules and cells originating in China is currently ongoing.