The Spanish Association of Electrical Equipment Manufacturers (AFBEL) warned that antidumping measures on grain-oriented-electrical steel (GOES) could increase transformer production costs, delay investment and undermine European competitiveness.
The European Commission is evaluating whether to expand antidumping measures on GOES imports from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. The current duties were maintained following a previous expiry review and are due to expire on 18 January 2027 unless a new review is initiated, Kallanish notes.
EU producers may request a review by 18 October 2026 if they can demonstrate that removing the measure would likely result in renewed dumping and injury.
AFBEL argues that any decision taken without considering the impact on the electricity sector could worsen Europe’s existing transformer shortage.
“European industrial autonomy cannot be achieved by undermining the manufacturers that make its critical infrastructure possible,” says the association’s general director Mar Duque. “Europe needs a strong GOES industry, but it also needs a competitive transformer industry, capable of manufacturing the equipment required for electrification.”
The EU transformer industry includes more than 80 plants and employs over 20,000 people.
Estimates submitted during the antidumping investigation suggest European GOES producers can meet only about half of total demand. For the higher-grade GOES used in energy efficient transformers, local supply covers just 27% of demand, leaving a shortfall of about 150,000 tonnes. GOES demand is expected to grow by approximately 10% over the next decade.
AFBEL estimates the measures could increase transformer production costs by up to 30%, depending on equipment type and GOES content. The association warns the resulting costs could reach €800 million ($909.5m) annually for European industry and households.
