The UK and China have headed a string of lucrative trade agreements with the formation of a ‘Clean Energy Partnership’, which the government says will see the two countries collaborate in research and industry.
But with the pact boasting a number of agreements relating to nuclear and offshore wind, solar energy appears to have been left in the shade.
“Both the UK and China are determined to find the right solutions to deliver clean, secure, and affordable energy for all. The agreement will support our efforts to tackle climate change and provide energy security for decades to come, helping to reduce energy bills for hardworking businesses and families as well as growing the low carbon economy,” a government statement read.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change claimed UK companies operating in the low carbon sector will now gain “more opportunities” to access the Chinese market, adding that it hoped the agreement would encourage “more investment in clean technologies”.
The agreement comes as Chinese president Xi Jinping’s state visit draws to a close having signed a number of key trade agreements with UK counterpart David Cameron. However the majority of energy-related agreements comprise nuclear and offshore wind technologies.
A UK-China energy started at the start of this week included just one solar energy firm; Zhejiang-based module supplier Jinko Solar.