In 2020, the EU spent EUR 11.2 billion on imports of green energy products (these include wind turbines, solar panels and biodiesel) from countries outside the EU. Meanwhile, the EU exported green energy products worth around half this amount (€5.8 billion) to countries outside the EU.
Specifically, the EU imported EUR 8.0 billion worth of solar panels, EUR 2.9 billion worth of biodiesel and EUR 0.3 billion worth of wind turbines from countries outside the EU. The value of imports of solar panels and biodiesel was much greater than the corresponding value of EU exports of these goods to countries outside the EU (exports amounted to EUR 1.8 billion and EUR 1.6 billion, respectively). In contrast, the value of exports of wind turbines to non-EU countries was far greater than the value of imports (EUR 2.3 billion).
Compared with 2015, the values of imports of solar panels, biodiesel and wind turbines into the EU were all significantly higher in 2020, with increases of 250%, 60% and 330% respectively.
In 2020, the value of the EU’s exports of wind turbines and solar panels was down by 1 % and 40 % respectively compared with 2015. In contrast, the value of exports of biodiesel increased by 150 % compared with 2015.
For more information:
- Statistics explained article on international trade in products related to green energy
- Database on international trade in goods
- Dedicated section on international trade in goods