The development of wind energy in Germany becomes dependent on China, as wind turbines are mainly made up of Chinese components. The Berliner Zeitung writes about this on May 24.
According to the German federal government, last year for the first time more than half of the electricity consumed came from renewable energy sources. Wind energy alone accounts for 22% in Germany.
The authors of the article quote the words of German Economy Minister Robert Habeck: “Onshore wind is key to our energy supply.”
However, the publication writes, the German environmental organization and IG Metall sound the alarm and warn against “A new dependence on energy production is coming.” The fact is that Germany lacks domestic production capacity for wind turbines and wind energy is totally dependent on foreign supply from China.
“Wind turbines are made up of many components, many of which are currently sourced in China.”says Nadine Bethge, deputy director of energy and climate protection at the German environmental organization.
The rare earth permanent magnets used in almost 100% of offshore wind turbines and about 20% of onshore installations come from 94% of China, according to research by the Carbon Neutrality Foundation. Furthermore, according to Bethge, Europe is lagging behind in the production of electronics and chips.
Furthermore, the problem of dependence on wind energy threatens employment in Germany. A survey carried out by IG Metall among works councils last year showed a mixed picture in the wind energy sector: one in two companies surveyed planned to expand jobs and around a fifth planned to cut jobs. As a result, some 900 jobs were at risk.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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