BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - An alliance of mainly German companies from the solar industry is protesting against the EU's feared punitive tariffs on Chinese solar modules. Protectionist measures would further fuel the inflation of energy costs, disrupt supply chains and jeopardize jobs, the alliance "Solar Economy Europe" announced in Berlin on Wednesday.

The 15 members include the solar division of the energy supplier EnBW, the project developer Baywa r.e., the Swedish energy group Vattenfall and the Danish project developer GreenGo Energy.

The companies involved warn against protectionism in general, without mentioning China by name in connection with the current discussion. However, the political reason is obvious: a large proportion of the solar modules installed in Europe are produced in China, and several European manufacturers have run into economic difficulties despite the ongoing solar boom. Chinese companies have cost advantages due to their much larger production capacities, and energy prices in Europe are considerably higher than in China. This is why the EU has been discussing possible punitive tariffs on Chinese modules for months.

"Growing protectionist tendencies" are threatening the European CO2 reduction targets, according to the press release. The companies are in favor of free trade. "We welcome the fact that the EU Commission explicitly positioned itself against trade barriers on PV products a few days ago," praised the head of Baywa r.e., Matthias Taft. "Tariffs would enormously restrict the expansion of renewable energies in this crucial decade for the energy transition."

The Head of PV Project Development at EnBW, Thorsten Jorß, also warned against renewed protectionist measures: "In order to achieve the climate protection targets, we need to drive forward the expansion of solar energy generation quickly. There must be no further delays and setbacks here."

The coalition refers to historical experience. The punitive tariffs imposed on solar components from China in 2012 and 2013 destroyed jobs in the European solar industry at the time. In addition, the EU's tariffs led to a slump in newly installed solar modules, according to the press release./tre/DP/stk