EU unveils massive green energy incentive plan

Reuters:

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed allowing increased levels of state aid so that Europe can compete with the United States as a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles and other green products and reduce its dependence on China.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced, as part of the plan, a repurposing of existing EU funds, faster approval of green projects and drives to boost skills and to seal trade agreements to secure supplies of critical raw materials.

This is partly a response to multi-billion-dollar support programmes of China and the United States, including the latter's Inflation Reduction Act.

"Major economies are rightly stepping up investment in net zero industries," von der Leyen told a news conference. "What we are looking at is that we have a global playing field."

Many EU leaders are concerned that the local content requirements of the $369 billion of green subsidies in the U.S. legislation will encourage companies to relocate, making the United States a leader in green tech at Europe's expense.

The International Energy Agency estimates the global market for mass-produced clean energy will triple to around $650 billion a year by 2030, with related manufacturing jobs more than doubling. The European Union wants a part of the action.

[Philip Blenkinsop]

More: EU sets out green industry deal to take on U.S. and China