Headline: MDG, SV Eyeing Bailout for Struggling Solar Firm Norsun as EU Warns Against Subsidy Race
Subline: As Norsun Shutdown Leaves 60 Jobless in Årdal, Parties Fear Europe’s Green Sector Will Be Outmatched by China, U.S.
The leaders of the Norwegian liberal party (V) and the Centre Party (Sp) are considering a bailout for struggling solar company Norsun. The potential rescue comes as the firm enters bankruptcy earlier this week, leaving 60 people jobless in the small town of Årdal. Norsun’s collapse adds to a growing list of Norwegian green energy companies facing strong international competition, particularly from China.
The Centre Party’s Kristoffer Robin Haug has urged the Norwegian government to step in and save Norsun. "We must take the cost of keeping this industry alive in Norway," Haug told E24, "and not let China win by producing below cost."
However, the Norwegian government is reluctant to intervene. A government spokesman said, "The government has schemes to provide risk-sharing for green industrial projects, but we must ensure that private capital leads the way and prevent Norway from becoming involved in a global subsidy race."
Meanwhile, Norsun’s CEO, Erik Løkke-Øwre, believes the company could have survived with more targeted support from the EU. "Had the EU implemented trade barriers on solar panels like they have on Chinese electric vehicles, Norsun would have had a much better chance," Løkke-Øwre said. "Europe is being flooded with cheap Chinese solar panels and components, making it hard for European companies to compete."
Rogalend تحدث Vegard Grøslie Wennesland, the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, about the challenges facing Europe’s green sector. "Europe faces significant uncertainty," Wennesland said, "and we must ensure that our public schemes support industry without creating a harmful subsidy race."
Several Norwegian green energy companies have struggled against intense international competition, particularly from China. In addition to Norsun, Norwegian solar panel manufacturer Rec Solar halted production in Kristiansand, and Norwegian Crystals, which produced wafer materials for solar panels in Glomfjord, shut down earlier this year.
The Norwegian government has expressed concern about the growing power of Chinese companies in the green energy sector. "We must be aware of the threat from Chinese dominance," Wennesland said, "and work together to build a competitive European value chain for solar power."
