[French photovoltaic company receives 1.8 billion yuan financing, 5GW TOPCon]Against the backdrop of accelerating the energy independence strategy in Europe, the French photovoltaic manufacturing industry has made significant progress. Local photovoltaic company Holosolis recently announced that it has obtained 220 million euros (approximately 1.8 billion yuan) in financing to build a 5GW TOPCon photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in France. The factory is planned to start construction in 2026, put into operation in 2027, and is expected to achieve commercial operation by 2030.
This production capacity layout will significantly enhance the local photovoltaic manufacturing capability in Europe. Holosolis CEO Bertrand Lecacheux revealed that the company has currently secured over 20GW of intended orders and plans to launch a second round of financing in 2026 to support continued capacity expansion.
To ensure technological leadership, Holosolis signed a TOPCon technology patent license agreement with China's leading photovoltaic company, Trina Solar, in September 2025. This cooperation will help Holosolis establish an advanced TOPCon module production line in Europe, marking the recognition of China's advanced photovoltaic technology in the international market once again.
The construction of this 5GW component factory is an important measure taken by the European Union to promote the localization of the renewable energy industry chain. With the continuous growth of clean energy demand in Europe, Holosolis' production capacity will provide stable module supply for the European photovoltaic market, while reducing dependence on imported photovoltaic products and further accelerating the European energy transition process. Editor/Yang Beihua
On December 11, 2025, Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec announced the completion of equity contracts for its large-scale "Obelisk" solar energy storage project in Egypt, while the Grootfontein solar power plant in South Africa was officially put into operation.
Scatec has signed equity agreements with Norwegian state-owned investment fund Norfund and French power company EDF to jointly promote the Obelisk solar and energy storage project in Egypt. The project has a scale of 1.1GW/200MW, making it Scatec's largest renewable energy project to date. According to the agreement, Norfund will hold a 25% stake in the project holding company, EDF will hold a 20% stake in the operating company, and Scatec will continue to maintain a majority stake. The CEO of the company, Terje Pilskog, stated that the project will combine solar energy and battery storage to provide Egypt with stable and cost competitive electricity. At the beginning of 2025, Scatec has raised over $400 million in funding for the project and plans to introduce more partners to optimize the capital structure.
In South Africa, Scatec's 273MW Grootfontein solar photovoltaic power station has officially started operation. This project is developed based on the procurement plan of South African renewable energy independent power producers and holds a 20-year power purchase agreement. Scatec completed project financing in 2023 and owns 51% of its shares, with the remaining shares held by local black economic revitalization partners and community trust funds. Alberto Gambakota, the head of Scatec Africa, pointed out that this project is the company's first power station in the Western Cape province and the first solar project to achieve commercial operation in this round of bidding, demonstrating Scatec's continuous investment and localization commitment in the South African market.
Scatec stated that by collaborating with international organizations and local partners, the company aims to improve capital efficiency, create greater value, while maintaining operational control over projects. Previously, Norfund had supported Scatec's 130MW solar project in Colombia. In the South African market, Scatec has accumulated large-scale installed capacity and has won an additional 846MW in the latest round of bidding. This series of trends reflects Scatec's deepening layout and long-term strategy in the field of clean energy in Africa. Editor/Yang Beihua
The small town of Opole, not far from the Czech border, is quietly undergoing a transformation in its industrial layout. On December 1st, Jinhu Tire officially announced that it will build its first production base in Europe here, marking an important step for this tire manufacturing enterprise on the path of globalization.
This factory located in Opole, Poland, is planned to have a total investment of approximately RMB 4.13 billion. The project will be promoted in stages, with the first phase expected to produce 6 million passenger car tires annually, and the production scale will gradually expand according to market development. The new factory is not only geographically close to the heartland of the European automotive industry, but is also seen as a key entry point for Jinhu to deepen its penetration into the European market.
The European market holds significant strategic importance for Jinhu Tire. In the first three quarters of 2025, Jinhu Tire achieved a cumulative operating revenue of RMB 18.1 billion, of which the European market contributed 27%. Of particular note is that the European market has maintained double-digit growth since 2025, demonstrating strong development potential.
Europe is home to numerous high-end car manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen. Jinhu Tire stated that setting up a factory in Poland is an important measure for the company to continue promoting its globalization strategy and focusing on high-yield markets. By achieving localized production and supply, Jinhu will further enhance its product and service competitiveness, strengthen its high-end brand value, and integrate more closely into the European automotive industry chain.
With the implementation of the planning for the Polish factory, Jinhu Tire is entering the fast lane of the high-end manufacturing market in Europe with a more localized attitude, adding new footnotes to the industrial cooperation between China and Europe. Editor/Yang Beihua