China, Inc: one should consider everything in China as extension of the communist party. If “China, Inc" was using below cost practices in Solar PV to achieve total dominance (something they’ve done elsewhere repeatedly), it was done essentially by the Chinese government. Western governments must have been aware of this. Why did they do nothing, and instead, just let it happen? Stupidity? Espionage/capture of Western Governments? Wall Street Interests setting Western policy?
European governments becoming critically dependent on Russian energy: I can’t think of a bigger strategic blunder in history than this one. It seems like I’m overstating it, and I hope I am, but I wonder how far Russia will push this massive strategic advantage.
I'd say the bigger blunder was spending years alienating Russia after they became this dependent on it and believing it would still dance to their tune when common sense says no one would under these conditions.
China bankrupted most of the panel manufacturers in US and Germany 2012-2014 flooding the market then with cheap panels. Some of us did see it. Of course the market wasn't so large then. You are so right - they had a plan and worked on it and they still are, just a little hamstrung right now. I don't believe governments didn't see it... or they thought if the Chinese people get more affluent they would become more democratic... if that is the case - compete stupidity. China is one organism, the parts don't matter, just the whole and that is unwavering communism. Sorry about your eye... I have eye doctors too, so I understand.
I remember around the time when China was admitted to the WTO that the stated hope was that "if China becomes more prosperous, a democratic transition will surely follow". Me being me, I was skeptical (I've studied history, including Chinese history). This naive assumption that turned out to be catastrophically incorrect is similar to the American assumption that "if we remove Saddam Hussein, a Jeffersonian democracy full of peace and love will surely flourish". Clearly, we are led by naive mental midgets. Who are only good at lining their own pockets.
Excellent analysis on China's domination of the Solar PV industry. All powered by dirty Coal energy of course, with lots of Uighur coerced labor. And a long distance supply chain across oceans very vulnerable to a likely war in the region as well as China's fanatical pandemic lockdowns. Trade dependence on Russian Gas & Oil to Chinese Solar & Wind. The large magnets used in Wind Turbines largely are sourced from Chinese rare Earths Mines. And unlike traditional electricity generators, solar & wind have an avg lifespan of ~12-20yrs.
If the west doesn't have a clear cut objective, then it means it doesn't have a clearly marked out direction in which to go. And so as you rightly pointed out,, they did not see things or they did see them but brushed them aside as insignificant.
This second line of thought is impressive and expresses how good intentions are quickly buried without anyone having the slightest idea why they are brushed aside.
But giving it some thought, however, one might begin to imagine that behind such ignorance or disregard is the need to balance expenditure and sustainability, and also the need to understand who gets to benefit.
And the questions that might be asked here is,
" how sustainable is it? And are we going to get a good deal?"
This is where the hands of bureaucracy might come in and bring everything to a stand still.
As one local journalist said, "once you present a project and bureaucracy sets in, just forget about the project because bureaucracy will kill it."
Irina I have the same problem with my eyes, I no long3er worry about it except with the annual eye exams. I am not a pro-China person but every continent on this planet subsidizes some form of industry. I am not going to get into pointing out what country subsidizes what, but here in America we seem to point out how bad China, Russia, and the Middle East are. Yet the EU subsidizes almost everything and we subsidize huge industry including Hollywood which got 700 million in tax breaks.
I am merely trying to point out we do the same thing and it is ok because we are exceptional Americans and the other's are ugly competitors. Yes in the end they are competitors and our government knew all about the subsidies. Hey go talk to the California government when they used Chinese steel to build a bridge to the tune of millions of dollars because American steel COST more. The Chinese steel did not even meet the specs. We need to clean up our own house before we point fingers.
Happy to have you here!
Excellent and insightful as always, Irina!
Thank you!
China, Inc: one should consider everything in China as extension of the communist party. If “China, Inc" was using below cost practices in Solar PV to achieve total dominance (something they’ve done elsewhere repeatedly), it was done essentially by the Chinese government. Western governments must have been aware of this. Why did they do nothing, and instead, just let it happen? Stupidity? Espionage/capture of Western Governments? Wall Street Interests setting Western policy?
European governments becoming critically dependent on Russian energy: I can’t think of a bigger strategic blunder in history than this one. It seems like I’m overstating it, and I hope I am, but I wonder how far Russia will push this massive strategic advantage.
I'd say the bigger blunder was spending years alienating Russia after they became this dependent on it and believing it would still dance to their tune when common sense says no one would under these conditions.
Hey Irina, just saw your Oilprice.com article about the Nord Stream 1 gas turbine repair issue between Canada, Germany and Russia. Russia is just playing with Canada and Germany- Russia can and will continue to do so due to its strategic advantage of having backed Europe into an existential corner. (article: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russia-Says-It-Will-Increase-Gas-To-Europe-Under-One-Condition.html )
Well, as far as excuses go, Canada couldn't have given Russia a better one. It's a truly amusing story, I have to admit.
China bankrupted most of the panel manufacturers in US and Germany 2012-2014 flooding the market then with cheap panels. Some of us did see it. Of course the market wasn't so large then. You are so right - they had a plan and worked on it and they still are, just a little hamstrung right now. I don't believe governments didn't see it... or they thought if the Chinese people get more affluent they would become more democratic... if that is the case - compete stupidity. China is one organism, the parts don't matter, just the whole and that is unwavering communism. Sorry about your eye... I have eye doctors too, so I understand.
I remember around the time when China was admitted to the WTO that the stated hope was that "if China becomes more prosperous, a democratic transition will surely follow". Me being me, I was skeptical (I've studied history, including Chinese history). This naive assumption that turned out to be catastrophically incorrect is similar to the American assumption that "if we remove Saddam Hussein, a Jeffersonian democracy full of peace and love will surely flourish". Clearly, we are led by naive mental midgets. Who are only good at lining their own pockets.
If they did see it, they ignored it at their own expense.
Thanks for the sympathy. I'm still fine, zero flashes, zero surgeries. :)
Excellent analysis on China's domination of the Solar PV industry. All powered by dirty Coal energy of course, with lots of Uighur coerced labor. And a long distance supply chain across oceans very vulnerable to a likely war in the region as well as China's fanatical pandemic lockdowns. Trade dependence on Russian Gas & Oil to Chinese Solar & Wind. The large magnets used in Wind Turbines largely are sourced from Chinese rare Earths Mines. And unlike traditional electricity generators, solar & wind have an avg lifespan of ~12-20yrs.
If the west doesn't have a clear cut objective, then it means it doesn't have a clearly marked out direction in which to go. And so as you rightly pointed out,, they did not see things or they did see them but brushed them aside as insignificant.
This second line of thought is impressive and expresses how good intentions are quickly buried without anyone having the slightest idea why they are brushed aside.
But giving it some thought, however, one might begin to imagine that behind such ignorance or disregard is the need to balance expenditure and sustainability, and also the need to understand who gets to benefit.
And the questions that might be asked here is,
" how sustainable is it? And are we going to get a good deal?"
This is where the hands of bureaucracy might come in and bring everything to a stand still.
As one local journalist said, "once you present a project and bureaucracy sets in, just forget about the project because bureaucracy will kill it."
Perhaps this might just be the case.
Irina I have the same problem with my eyes, I no long3er worry about it except with the annual eye exams. I am not a pro-China person but every continent on this planet subsidizes some form of industry. I am not going to get into pointing out what country subsidizes what, but here in America we seem to point out how bad China, Russia, and the Middle East are. Yet the EU subsidizes almost everything and we subsidize huge industry including Hollywood which got 700 million in tax breaks.
I am merely trying to point out we do the same thing and it is ok because we are exceptional Americans and the other's are ugly competitors. Yes in the end they are competitors and our government knew all about the subsidies. Hey go talk to the California government when they used Chinese steel to build a bridge to the tune of millions of dollars because American steel COST more. The Chinese steel did not even meet the specs. We need to clean up our own house before we point fingers.