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wiredInUSA - March 2016
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In a move that reflects the concern at
over-capacity in Chinese mills, an EU
commission has imposed tariffs up to 13
percent on Chinese rebar.
Chinese exporters expanded their share
of the EU rebar market to almost 36
percent in the 12 months up to March
2015, from 7.9 percent in 2013 and
zero in previous years, the commission
reported.
The duties are aimed at Chinese
exporters of high fatigue performance
steel concrete reinforcement bars,
which are, allegedly, being sold in
the EU at below cost. The targeted
companies include Jiangyin Xicheng
Steel Co, Jiangsu Yonggang Group Co
and Zhangjiagang Shatai Steel Co.
The duties, which came into effect in
early February, are initially for six months
and may last for up to five years.
With EUanti-dumpingprotection already
in force on Chinese goods ranging from
stainless steel and electrical steel to wire
rod and steel wires, the new measures
reflect European concerns that Chinese
mills have the capacity to flood world
markets.
A bar to rebar
Canadian Solar Inc has started the
commercial operation of three solar
photovoltaic power plants in Japan,
totaling approximately 6.2MW. The
portfolio of projects includes the 2.3MW
Ashikita solar power plant in Kumamoto
City; the 2.2MW Minamishimabara
power plant East; and the 1.7MW
Minamishimabara plant West in Nagasaki
prefecture.
“The completion and commercial
operation of the additional three solar
projects, totaling 6.2MW, brings our total
megawatts of projects in operation in
Japan to approximately 21MW,” said Dr
Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive
officer of Canadian Solar Inc. “We remain
on track to execute on our plan to deliver
more clean solar energy to the Japanese
market.”
The Ashikita plant and Minamishimabara
plant – East achieved commercial
operation in December 2015. The
electricity generated from the plants will
be purchased by Kyushu Electric Power
Co under 20-year feed-in-tariff contracts.
Power from the Minamishimabara plant
– West, will be similarly purchased by
Kyushu Electric Power Co under a 20-year
feed-in-tariff contract.
Clean power in Japan