Chinese enterprise unveils new solar park in UK

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2013-06-11

Workers construct a photovoltaic station in northwest China's Gansu province.
(Photo/Xinhua)

China's AVIC International Holding Group has invested in a new photovoltaic power plant in the English county of Essex despite recent anti-dumping tariffs imposed by the European Union against China's solar industry, reports the website of the People's Daily.

On June 10, the UK subsidiary of Beijing-based AVIC held an unveiling ceremony for a new 12 megawatt PV power plant at a farm in Essex, northeast of London. The ceremony was attended by top officials from AVIC International headquarters as well as the Chinese embassy in the UK.

Company representative Wang Ping revealed that the project covers 120 acres and involves investment of £12 million (US$18.7 million). The plant, scheduled to be completed by the end of October, will become the largest solar park in the UK built by a Chinese enterprise.

Wang said the materials and components to be used in the construction of the solar plant will all be provided by Chinese manufacturers. All the parts have already arrived in the country, so they will not be affected by the new anti-dumping tariffs declared by the EU on June 6, he added.

According to company general manager Lou Yucheng, England remains a more attractive investment destination for the solar industry than most other European countries despite a decision in March by the UK government to reduce subsidies to the sector by 50%.

There will no doubt be a significant impact on China's solar industry as a result of the anti-dumping tariffs, but the only way to counteract this is to push through with new developments, Lou said, adding that the company has also received permission to begin developing another 50 MW PV project.

England's largest solar power station lies in the central county of Leicestershire and has a total capacity of 33 MW. The British government plans to increase the country's total installed generating capacity to 20 gigawatts by 2020, leading to suggestions that there will be a major spike in activity in the solar market starting from this year.　

References:

Wang Ping　　王平
Lou Yucheng　　婁玉成