EU exported "green" technologies and fuels worth €5bn last year; imports nearly triple

European Union countries exported "green" technologies and fuels worth €5.3bn in 2024. Wind turbines accounted for more than half of exports. EU imports of these technologies were nearly three times higher. This follows from figures published by the EU's statistical office, Eurostat.

In 2024, the European Union imported solar panels worth €11.1bn (a year-on-year decrease of 43%), liquid biofuels worth €2.9bn (down 25% year on year) and wind turbines worth €0.5bn (a year-on-year increase of 102%). The total value of imports of these technologies and fuels thus reached €14.6bn.

Wind turbines dominated exports, with the value of exported turbines rising 41% year on year to €2.8bn. The value of exported solar panels fell 22% year on year to €0.7bn, while liquid biofuels recorded an 18% decline to €1.8bn.

Most imports come from China and India

Data published by Eurostat further show that China is by far the largest source of these technologies and fuels imported into EU countries. China accounted for a 98% share of solar panel imports last year, although the value of panels imported from China fell from €19bn in 2023 to €10.9bn last year.

China also had the largest share of liquid biofuel imports, at 24%. It was followed by Malaysia with 15%, the United Kingdom with 13% and Brazil with 12%.

India was the largest source of wind turbine imports, accounting for 48% of total imports. China followed closely behind with a 43% share.