Imports of green energy products more than doubled in 2022

Clean energy is a fundamental part of the European Green Deal. In pursuit of this, green energy products such as wind turbines, liquid biofuels and solar panels are required. Utilising these energy products also reduces the energy import dependencies highlighted by 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). 

Focusing on specific products, the EU imported €22.6 billion worth of solar panels in 2022, a 145% increase compared with 2021 (€9.2 billion). Increases were also recorded for liquid biofuels with 2022 imports reaching €5.1 billion, up 49% on 2021 (€3.4 billion). An increase was also recorded in imports of wind turbines, which rose 17% to €0.8 billion in 2022, from €0.6 billion (2021).

Compared with 2012, imports of all three green energy products have increased. Imports of solar panels are up 137%, imports of liquid biofuels are up 60% and imports of wind turbines are up 504%. 

Source dataset: DS-059322

Dramatic fall in exports of wind turbines in 2022

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

Source dataset: DS-059322