LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is considering changing legislation to ensure its new state-owned energy company, Great British Energy, avoids the use of solar panels linked to suspected Chinese forced labour, the energy department said.
Legislation is going through parliament to establish the state-backed company, but the government’s plans are facing criticism from some lawmakers about the origin of solar panels.
Any changes to supply chain rules could put Britain’s 2050 target for net zero emissions at risk.
China produces over 80% of the world’s solar panels. Research from the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University says forced labour from among the country’s Uyghurs is used to produce polysilicon, one of the panels’ core components.
Imports to the U.S. are already banned from dozens of Chinese companies producing cotton apparel, auto parts and solar panels over alleged human rights abuses involving the Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority.
China denies any abuses and a foreign ministry spokesperson said in February that allegations of forced labour were among the “lies of the century”. The Chinese Embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Asked whether there would be changes to legislation surrounding Great British Energy, after the Times newspaper said the company would be banned from using Chinese solar panels alleged to have been made by forced labour, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said an update would be issued shortly.
“No industry in the UK should rely on forced labour … we are working across government to tackle the issue of forced labour in solar supply chains,” the spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“We are considering how we can go further to help ensure Great British Energy is a sector leader in this area.”
GB Energy was launched in July with the aim of boosting investment in renewables and lowering energy bills.
It said in March its first investment would be leading a 200 million pound ($266 million) solar project for hospitals and schools.
($1 = 0.7509 pounds)
(Reporting by Sarah Young;Editing by Alison Williams)
