Clean energy plays a crucial role in achieving the goals outlined in the European Green Deal. To achieve this, it is essential to use green energy products such as wind turbines, liquid biofuels, and solar panels. The use of these energy products also helps to minimize energy import dependencies, which were highlighted during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the EU spent €28.4 billion 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 the latest review by Eurostat.

In 2022, the EU imported €22.6 billion worth of solar panels, which is a 145 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s import of €9.2 billion. The imports of liquid biofuels also saw an increase of 49 per cent, reaching €5.1 billion from the 2021 figure of €3.4 billion. Additionally, imports of wind turbines rose by 17 per cent, reaching €0.8 billion in 2022, up from €0.6 billion in 2021.

Compared to 2012, the import of three green energy products has increased significantly. The import of solar panels has increased by 137 per cent, liquid biofuels by 60 per cent, and wind turbines by 504 per cent.

Wind turbine export value slips

The value of green energy products exported by the EU to extra-EU countries was significantly lower (€3.7 billion) and was 27 per cent 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 per cent) on those in 2021 (€3.2 billion). Solar panels totalled €0.8 billion in 2022, up 44 per cent on 2021 (€0.6 billion). Liquid biofuel exports numbered €1.6 billion, up 23 per cent 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 per cent increase on 2012 exports. Exports of solar panels have seen a more modest increase (25 per cent), from €0.6 billion in 2012 to €0.8 billion in 2022. Wind turbine exports have recorded a -55 per cent drop, from €2.9 billion in 2012 to €1.3 billion in 2022.