The Spanish Association of Electrical Equipment Manufacturers (AFBEL) has warned that anti-dumping measures against oriented electrical steel (GOES) used to manufacture transformers could increase costs, slow down investment and weaken Europe's competitiveness.
The European Commission is considering extending anti-dumping measures against GOES imports from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States. The current duties were retained based on the results of the previous revision and are due to expire on January 18, 2027, unless a new revision is initiated, Calanish notes. Manufacturers
The EU may request a review by October 18, 2026, if it proves that the cancellation of the measures is likely to lead to a resumption of dumping and damage.
AFBEL believes that any decision taken without taking into account the consequences for the electricity sector could worsen the existing shortage of transformers in Europe.
"European industrial autonomy cannot be achieved by weakening the position of manufacturers who provide its critical infrastructure," said Mar Duque, Director General of the association. "Europe needs a strong transformer industry, but it also needs a competitive transformer industry capable of producing the equipment needed for electrification."
The EU transformer industry has more than 80 factories and over 20,000 employees.
According to estimates provided during the anti-dumping investigation, European transformer manufacturers are able to meet only about half of the total demand. In the segment of high-quality materials used in energy-efficient transformers, local supplies cover only 27% of demand, resulting in a shortage of about 150,000 tons. Demand for GOES is expected to grow by about 10% over the next decade. According to estimates
andAFBEL, these measures can increase transformer production costs by up to 30%, depending on the type of equipment and composition of GOES. The association warns that as a result, the costs of European industry and households could reach 800 million euros ($909.5 million) per year.
Author: Todor Kirkov Bulgaria