India’s import dependence for meeting its solar equipment demand was more than 90 per cent in past three financial years, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
“As per the report dated July 16, 2018, from Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the quantum of imported solar cells / modules is around 90 per cent,” Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, reported Business Standard.
According to the reply, India met 92.11 per cent requirement of its solar equipment through imports in 2017-18 while the proportion was 91.57 per cent and 95.31 per cent in 2016-17 and 2015-16 respectively.
Referring to the report, the minister further said, “imports of solar cells / modules PUC are taking place at very low prices resulting in drop in sales realisation of domestic industry thereby hampering the domestic industry’s ability to compete and make and sell the solar cells/ modules. However, this report has not commented on the issue of dumping.”
The value of solar cells/photo-voltaic cells whether or not assembled in module/panel, imported from China jumped to $ 3.41 billion in 2017-18 from $ 596.73 million in 2013-14, the minister informed.
