Europe’s solar sector, a beacon amidst the Russian gas crisis, faces challenges from Chinese imports. The BAMBOO project aims to scale up floating solar technology, potentially reducing Europe’s dependence on Chinese imports and creating jobs. The debate continues on balancing jobs, security, and environmental targets.
Amidst the Russian gas crisis, Europe’s solar sector has emerged as a beacon of hope. However, the industry is grappling with its own set of challenges: a heavy reliance on Chinese imports. This has sparked a heated debate about job creation, economic security, and environmental targets.
As the demand for solar panels skyrockets, so does Europe’s dependence on Chinese imports. Cheap Chinese solar panels have fueled the installation craze, but European producers are struggling to compete. The situation has led to calls for import restrictions or subsidies by domestic manufacturers.
Amidst this backdrop, the BAMBOO project, a joint industry initiative involving 16 European partners, is offering a glimmer of hope. The project aims to scale up floating solar technology to standard formats of 150 MW, paving the way for gigawatt-scale farms in offshore conditions. The collaboration, coordinated by RINA, seeks to resolve challenges for large-scale offshore solar deployment, including environmental impact research and sustainability considerations.
The ultimate goal of the BAMBOO project is to attract funds for a pioneering 100-200 MW offshore solar farm within a Vattenfall offshore wind farm by the end of the decade. This initiative could potentially reduce Europe’s dependence on Chinese imports and create jobs in the region.
