China green tech firms target new consumers hit by Iran war energy shock

[SINGAPORE] China’s clean technology titans, hungry for export markets to boost flagging profits, are not letting a crisis go to waste. Manufacturers of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels have been wooing nations looking to wean themselves off costly fuel imports since the Iran war triggered a global energy shock.

One of the country’s largest solar manufacturers Jinko Solar inked two deals at the end of April with partners in Nigeria, in a region where diesel prices have soared 40 per cent since the start of the crisis, while auto manufacturers are hunting avenues to extend sales into locations including Europe, and energy storage firms are lifting overseas shipments.

“Chinese manufacturers are catching an export tailwind from this worldwide rush, which is helping to support their prices in overseas markets,” said Chia Chen, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence (BI).

Exports of lithium-ion batteries and EVs jumped in March from the previous year while shipments of solar panels doubled on the previous month to reach a record, according to calculations by UK-based think tank Ember. Along with rising fuel prices, overseas shipments were propelled by the looming expiration of an export tax rebate for solar at the start of April, and a reduction for batteries.

A total of 50 countries had record solar imports from China in March, with Nigeria recording a 519 per cent surge from February and notable spikes in Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

“Nigerian end users can now reduce their reliance on diesel generators and access reliable, clean, and affordable self-generated power,” Jinko said, after striking a deal with Fouani Nigeria to supply 500 megawatts of equipment for use across shopping malls, factories, and homes.

Canada, among global markets hit by higher fuel prices, is ripe for new EV sales, according to Chery Automobile, one of China’s largest automakers. The company flew nearly two dozen Canadian car dealers to the Beijing auto show which concluded earlier this month.

“Since the crisis, oil prices have risen in many places, some are experiencing supply shortages. So everyone’s perception of electrified vehicles is changing,” Chery’s chairman Yin Tongyue said. “There’s been a rise in orders and also some Western manufacturers are urgently looking for ways to partner with Chinese EV makers.”

A sales manager for another Chinese EV producer, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said the company is scouting for partners in southern and eastern Europe where customers are sensitive to petrol price hikes.

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Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor is also sizing up new opportunities in Vietnam, where the government has responded to the Iran war by pushing for an expansion of EV charging infrastructure. “Now our customers have started talking to us about whether they can import our new energy vehicle products,” said Zhang Enming, a general manager in the company’s South-east Asia region.

Customs data for March showed Chinese EV exports grew 53 per cent from the previous year. Sizeable EV markets that saw Chinese imports rise include Australia – up 67 per cent from February, Belgium – up 63 per cent, and Germany at 34 per cent. Early indicators from April follow that trend. China’s top EV exporter BYD saw overseas sales jump more than 71 per cent from the previous year.

Chinese battery exports rose just over a third in March from the previous year, and shipments from major supplier Sungrow Power Supply are likely to exceed forecasts as the war stokes demand, according to BI’s Chen. Gotion High-Tech is aiming to double overseas shipments this year, the company said last month.

Even wind turbine producers, whose projects can take years to come to fruition, are using the energy crisis to drum up new opportunities.

In Europe, there is an “urgent need” for renewable energy sources and offshore wind power, Zhang Chuanwei, chairman of manufacturer Ming Yang Smart Energy Group said following a visit to the region. The equipment supplier is aiming to set up production in Europe after the United Kingdom rejected a plan to locate a plant in Scotland.

However, disruption to markets in the Middle East is seen weighing on some exports, even if the broader trend is positive.

“I think overall the overseas sales will increase but in some regions we need to make practical plans to accommodate the changes,” Victor Yang, senior vice-president of Geely Automobile, told reporters at the Beijing auto show last month. The Iran conflict is “a challenge for everybody”, he said. BLOOMBERG