On 3 February 2026, in accordance with Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) No 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) (the ‘FSR’), the Commission decided to initiate an in-depth investigation in the above-mentioned case after finding, based on a preliminary review, sufficient indications that Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliates (‘Goldwind’) have been granted foreign subsidies distorting the internal market. The initiation of the in-depth investigation is without prejudice to the final decision in this case.

1.   Ex officio procedure

On 9 April 2024, the Commission started its preliminary review into Goldwind’s activities in the EU wind sector. In that sector, Goldwind is predominantly active in wind turbine manufacturing, R&D, sales, and servicing.

2.   Indications of the presence of foreign subsidies

Based on the information available to it at this stage, the Commission considers that there are sufficient indications that Goldwind has received at least the following foreign subsidies within the meaning of Article 3 FSR:

3.   Indications of a distortion on the internal market

Based on the information available at this stage, the Commission considers that there are sufficient indications that the preliminarily identified subsidies are liable to improve Goldwind’s competitive position in the internal market, thereby actually or potentially negatively affecting competition in the internal market within the meaning of Article 4 FSR.

With regard to the potential foreign subsidies summarized in Section 2, based on their purpose, nature and scope, these subsidies seem to support, directly or indirectly, Goldwind’s economic activities in the internal market, either by being targeted to these activities, or by freeing up resources for use by the undertaking. Moreover, in view of the close functional, economic and organic links between the entities comprising the undertaking, Goldwind appears to have the ability and incentives to transfer the resources provided or freed up by the non-targeted foreign subsidies to cross-subsidise its activities in the internal market.

The Commission has also found indications that the preliminarily identified foreign subsidies it received may have improved Goldwind’s competitive position and could actually or potentially negatively affect competition in the internal market. In particular, the preliminarily identified foreign subsidies may have enabled Goldwind to offer, in certain cases, lower prices than its competitors, thereby winning more wind project tenders in the EU than it would have done in the absence of those foreign subsidies. Additionally, while the current presence of Goldwind in the EU seems to be limited, there are indications that Goldwind has important incentives to increase its presence in the EU.

4.   Conclusion

For the reasons set out above, the Commission considers that there are sufficient indications that Goldwind has been granted foreign subsidies distorting the internal market, as described in Sections 2 and 3, to initiate an in-depth investigation in accordance with Article 10(3) FSR.

5.   Invitation for comments

In accordance with Articles 10(3)(d) and 40(1) FSR and Article 8(1) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1441 (2) (the ‘FSIR’), the Commission invites any natural or legal person, any Member State, as well as the third country that granted the potential foreign subsidies identified in Section 2 to submit their comments. In accordance with Article 8(3) FSIR, where submitted written comments include confidential information, the submitting person shall provide a non-confidential version of the submission at the same time as the confidential version.

In duly justified cases, the providers of comments may request that their identity is not disclosed.

Comments should reach the Commission no later than one calendar month following the date of this publication and can be sent to the Commission by email to COMP-FSR-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu, with reference FS.100143.

(1)  Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market (OJ L 330, 23.12.2022, p. 1).

(2)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1441 of 10 July 2023 on detailed arrangements for the conduct of proceedings by the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market (OJ L 177, 12.7.2023, p. 1).