Australia’s Love for Cheap Solar Sparks Concerns Over Uyghur Forced Labor in Supply Chain
According to an ABC News report by Daniel Mercer on May 17, 2023, Ramila Chanisheff, a member of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, highlights the disheartening reality behind solar panels. As an ethnic Uyghur from Xinjiang, she sees the connection between the solar industry and the oppression of her people.
Reports from the Uyghur diaspora suggest that family members or friends are involved in forced labour within the solar panel industry in Xinjiang. However, fear of persecution prevents many from speaking out.
China, particularly Xinjiang, has become the dominant global supplier of solar panels, benefiting consumers with lower prices. Nevertheless, doubts persist regarding Beijing’s claims that its policies in Xinjiang aim to counter terrorism and alleviate poverty.
Nicholas Aberle from the Clean Energy Council acknowledges the reports of human rights abuses in the solar supply chain and stresses the need to address the issue, condemning modern slavery and forced labour.
Michael Shoebridge, the director of Strategic Analysis Australia, notes the difficulty in defining the use of Uyghur labour in the solar industry.
Workers seemingly have a choice, but the alternatives often involve long hours, low pay, or facing authorities’ ire. This coercion creates an industry reliant on cheap Uyghur labour and heavily subsidized coal power.
According to the ABC News report, these concerns not only raise ethical questions but also have significant energy security implications.
Shoebridge highlights the stranglehold China has over the renewable energy supply chain and its potential to exert control over countries dependent on Chinese products.
Dr. Aberle suggests increased transparency about the origins of solar panels and diversifying supply chains as crucial steps. In the long term, Australia should consider bringing some manufacturing onshore to mitigate supply chain risks.
However, Dr. Llewelyn Hughes from the Australian National University warns that, given the forecasted growth of the solar industry, Australia’s reliance on China may persist in the short term.
Hughes cautions against measures like tariffs that could increase the cost of solar panels, hindering efforts to decarbonize the economy.
He also notes that competing with China in mass manufacturing may not be feasible for Australia. Instead, a global effort to diversify supply chains Is necessary.
As Australia aims to balance its environmental goals with ethical considerations, the price of solar panels must not come at the cost of human rights abuses.
The challenge lies in finding the right path towards a cleaner future while safeguarding workers’ rights and maintaining energy security.
