国际可持续发展研究所-贸易政策如何使清洁能源投资收益最大化？（英）-2021.7-26页_605kb

Summary of "How Can Trade Policy Maximize Benefits From Clean Energy Investment?"

Core Content

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how trade policy can be used to maximize local economic benefits from clean energy investments, particularly in developing countries. It explores the components of renewable energy projects, their cost structures, and the role of trade policies in promoting local manufacturing while balancing project costs.

Main Components of Renewable Energy Projects

Renewable energy projects consist of various components and subassemblies, which can be sourced either locally or globally. These include:

• Wind turbines (HS codes 8501.61, 8501.63, 8501.64): ~18% of BOM, typically sourced globally.
• Rotor blades (HS codes 8412.90, 8482.10, 8482.30): 13–15% of BOM, sourced either globally or locally.
• Tower (HS codes 7308.xx, 7326.xx): 16–18% of BOM, sourced either globally or locally.
• Transformer (HS codes 8504.21, 8504.22, 8504.34, 8504.40): ~2.3% of BOM, sourced either globally or locally.
• Electrical components: 10–13% of BOM, typically sourced locally.
• Civil work: 15–37% of BOM, almost always sourced locally.

Local Production Spectrum

The report identifies a spectrum of components that can be locally produced, ranging from those that are highly centralized (e.g., solar modules, wind turbines) to those that are more decentralized (e.g., structures, towers). Key findings include:

• Solar modules and wind turbines are highly centralized, with most production concentrated in a few countries.
• Structures and towers are more decentralized and can be produced locally in many countries.
• Electrical components and civil work are typically localizable and can be developed with relatively lower barriers to entry.

Trade Impacts on Local Production

Trade policies, particularly tariffs, play a crucial role in determining the extent of local manufacturing. The report evaluates trade data and tariff levels for key components in solar and wind projects across developing countries.

Key Observations

• Most low-income and lower-middle-income countries are net importers of wind and solar components.
• Among the top 30 solar component exporters, only eight have a trade surplus.
• In the wind sector, only two countries export more than they import.
• Tariff levels vary significantly across components:
  • Solar modules (3.8%) and inverters (5.4%) face relatively low tariffs.
  • Structures (15.8%) and electrical components (12.4%) face higher tariffs.
  • Transformers (6.9%) have moderate tariffs.

Trade Policy Typology (Table 6)

The report introduces a matrix to classify trade policy objectives based on productive capacity and tariff levels:

This matrix helps illustrate how different countries approach trade policy depending on their production capabilities and strategic goals.

Policy Recommendations

• Governments should strategically design tariffs to support local production of components that are more feasible to manufacture locally, such as structures, towers, and electrical subsystems.
• Trade policies should align with energy policy to ensure that local manufacturing is incentivized without increasing project costs.
• Local content requirements can be effective but must be balanced with the need to maintain competitive project pricing.
• Skill transfer is generally easier than technology transfer, making local services (e.g., design, civil work) more viable for development.

Conclusion

The report concludes that trade policy can significantly influence the local production of renewable energy components. By understanding the cost structure and production capabilities, governments can implement policies that maximize local economic benefits while ensuring the viability of renewable energy projects. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored trade policies that reflect the specific needs and capacities of each country in the renewable energy sector.