Brussels, 13 May 2024
Statement by Commissioner Breton on withdrawal of LONGi Solar Technologie GmbH and Shanghai Electric from public procurement following the Commission’s opening of an investigation under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation.
The EU Commission takes note of the withdrawal of two companies for a public procurement procedure concerning the construction of a photovoltaic park in Romania. The two companies involved are ENEVO, which includes LONGi Solar Technologie GmbH, as well as Shanghai Electric UK Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Hong Kong International Engineering Co. Ltd.
The withdrawal follows the European Commission’s announcement on 3 April 2024 that it would open an in-depth investigation under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation . As a result of the withdrawal, the Commission will close its in-depth investigation.
These investigations concern a procedure carried out by a Romanian contracting authority (Societatea PARC FOTOVOLTAIC ROVINARI EST S.A.) for the design, construction and operation of a photovoltaic park in Romania with a capacity of 454.97 MW, partly financed by the European Union. The estimated value of this contract is around €375 million.
The first consortium consists of ENEVO Group and LONGi Solar Technologie GmbH. ENEVO Group, the consortium leader, is a Romanian-based engineering and consulting services provider. LONGi Solar Technologie GmbH is a German subsidiary wholly owned and controlled by LONGi Green Energy Technology Co, Ltd, a leading photovoltaic company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The second consortium consists of Shanghai Electric UK Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Hong Kong International Engineering Co. Ltd. Both companies are wholly owned and controlled by Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd, a Chinese state-owned enterprise specialising in multinational power generation and electrical equipment manufacturing.
Quote(s)
Solar power is vital for Europe’s economic security. We are massively investing in the installation of solar panels to decrease our carbon emissions and energy bills – but this should not come at the expense of our energy security, our industrial competitiveness and European jobs. The Foreign Subsidies Regulation is ensuring that foreign companies which participate in the European economy do so by abiding to our rules on fair competition and transparency.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
Source – EU Commission