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Siemens Energy boss says there can be no energy transition without China

E urope's energy sector relies excessive on China to entertain the idea of derisking, the CEO of Siemens Energy said, showing the problem of an industry in requirement of materials from the world's No. 2 economy however not the competitors that comes with it.

The remarks by Christian Bruch come as global trade tensions with China are heating up, with the U.S. raising tariffs on Chinese electrical automobiles today and the European Union checking out similar actions to safeguard local gamers from unjust competitors.

Meantime, the EU has actually launched an investigation into Chinese wind turbine makers and whether they take advantage of aids in their efforts to undercut the prices of Western companies like Vestas, Nordex and GE Vernova.

The last thing I would do is promote something like departing or de-risking. We have a connectivity between the two areas that is rewarding and unavoidable, Bruch informed an instruction with reporters this week.

Trying to construct a wind turbine without any Chinese supply will be close to impossible. Energy transition without China doesn't work.

The manufacturing of wind turbines heavily depends on products from China, most especially unusual earths and long-term magnets and there are minimal alternatives for the sector to change that, generally at much higher rates.

While Siemens Energy makes only a fraction of its sales in China, around 1.5%, its wind department relies almost entirely on unusual earth and irreversible magnets from China.

Bruch's remarks also show a divide in between Germany's. federal government, which has recommended business cut their relative. direct exposure to China, and the leaders of business such as. Volkswagen and BASF, which have increased. their engagement.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

Bruch stated it was crucial that Chinese wind turbine makers be. held to the very same local requirements as European companies when they. sell their turbines in your area, including there needed to be a middle. ground between full-on protectionism like in the United States. and a free enterprise.

I'm not in favour of blocking the European market. But I. believe we still need clear guidelines in terms of how companies are. funded, where do they get guarantees from and what do they pay. for it. This requires to be rather consistent, Bruch said,. adding he hoped that the EU examination would accomplish this.

Siemens Energy last week announced significant modifications to. its crisis-ridden wind turbine division, including cutting or. paring back the variety of markets where it wishes to complete,. such as Latin America and Africa, which is partly a consequence. of inexpensive Chinese rivals.

Bruch said wind system Siemens Gamesa would not contend in. markets where it was up against two or 3 Chinese players if. rate was the only differentiator.

He stated that while the company had actually weighed an exit from. onshore wind, which has been pestered by quality problems, Siemens. Energy had decided versus it for now due to the fact that it would have been. more pricey than staying in.

Bruch explained, however, that the turn-around plan for. onshore, which includes a target for double-digit profit. margins, needed to produce tangible results within the next 4-5. years or a different solution would have to be discovered.

(source: Reuters)