Analysis of EU trade in green energy products is crucial to understanding geopolitical dependencies, assessing energy security and supporting national industries.
Despite efforts to develop domestic production and achieve strategic autonomy, the EU remains highly dependent on external suppliers of green energy technologies. In 2024, imports of solar panels, biofuels and wind turbines exceeded exports, with China and India retaining their key role among the main trading partners.

According to the latest Eurostat data, EU imports of solar panels in 2024 amounted to €11.1 billion, imported liquid biofuels were worth €2.9 billion and wind turbines -€0.5 billion. Total import of green energy products from outside the EU was almost €14.6 billion.
Imports of solar panels decreased by 43% compared to 2023 due to a fall in prices, while the total weight of these imports increased by a moderate 2%. Imports of liquid biofuels also saw a 25% decline in value. On the other hand, wind turbine imports increased by 102% in value terms. To illustrate, in 2024 the EU imported 32 373 wind turbines, 9 072 more than in 2023.

Eurostat’s 2024 export figures show €0.7 billion worth of solar panels exported from the EU, €1.8 billion worth of liquid biofuels and €2.8 billion worth of wind turbines. In contrast to solar panels and liquid biofuels, exports of wind turbines significantly exceeded import figures.
Between 2023 and 2024, wind turbine exports increased in value terms (+41%). In quantitative terms, in 2024 the EU found a market to third countries for 17 180 wind turbines, which was 7 434 more than in 2023.

In contrast to wind turbines, solar panel exports fell by 22% in value terms. Exports of liquid biofuels also shrink by 18%.

China and India: main partners for import of green energy products

China was by far the largest supplier of solar panels, accounting for 98% of all imports. Although the share remained the same as in 2023, the total value of these imports was down from €19.0 billion to €10.9 billion in 2024.

For liquid biofuels, China also led but with a smaller share of 24% of all these imports, down from 36% in 2023. The top import partners of liquid biofuels also included Malaysia (15%), the United Kingdom (13%) and Brazil (12%).

In 2024 imports of wind turbines were mostly from India and China. Compared with 2023, China increased its share from 31% to 43% while India saw a decrease from 58% to 48%.

Main export destinations

The largest extra-EU export destination for wind turbines was the United Kingdom (22%), followed by the United States (14%), Japan (12%) and Türkiye (11%); it should be noted that 27% of exports could not be attributed to a partner due to data confidentiality.

The largest extra-EU export destinations for solar panels were Switzerland (26%) and the United Kingdom (22%).

Source: Eurostat