Gaoyou: Resolve problems and solve difficulties to promote the transformation and development of the photovoltaic industry

Ever since the start of this year, the global photovoltaic industry has faced significant challenges due to a worsening international trade environment. Many companies have paused production, leading to numerous disputes. In response to these pressing issues, Gaoyou City in Jiangsu Province has taken proactive steps. Local authorities have organized experienced business leaders to assist companies in clarifying their financial standings, streamlining operations, and addressing grievances. Efforts have also included guiding photovoltaic firms to engage in litigation investigations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of total debts, assets, creditors, and repayment capabilities. Authorities remain vigilant about potential risks such as asset stripping or debt evasion, taking preventive measures to safeguard corporate assets and prevent any major group incidents. From January to April this year, Gaoyou Development Zone reported an impressive 7.4 billion yuan in industrial output, marking a year-on-year growth of 29.2%. Technical renovation investments reached 1.732 billion yuan, up 76.9%, while fixed asset investments totaled 1.547 billion yuan, increasing by 67.8%. Known as a "good year," Gaoyou boasts over 50 photovoltaic-related companies, including 20规模以上 (scale-up) photovoltaic enterprises. Companies like Shunda Semiconductor, Shunda Solar, Supreme Optoelectronics, and Walmart Solar have made it onto the city’s top 50 industry list. The output value of scale-up photovoltaic enterprises surged from 3.07 billion yuan in 2008 to 7.04 billion yuan in 2010, accounting for 68.3% of the city’s high-tech industrial output value. Gaoyou has emerged as a critical hub for China’s photovoltaic industry, drawing significant investor interest. Currently, Gaoyou is home to 31 key photovoltaic projects either under construction or planned, with a total investment target of 12.225 billion yuan. These initiatives aim to further solidify Gaoyou’s position within the photovoltaic sector. Focusing on the concept of "differentiating ourselves through excellence," Gaoyou Economic Development Zone has prioritized fostering new industries, upgrading leading sectors, transforming traditional ones, and identifying unique local features to establish high ground in its industrial landscape. The “three chains, one village, two parks” strategy includes a technological innovation industrial village, a provincial photovoltaic industrial park, an energy storage technology demonstration park (battery industrial park), a machinery manufacturing industry chain, a photovoltaic industry chain, and an electronic and electrical industry chain. The battery industrial park has completed its construction plan and received provincial environmental approval. Demolition began in April, and 350 residential homes have been cleared. By year-end, five enterprises with over 1 billion yuan in investment are anticipated to join, fostering industry clustering and defining regional characteristics. The “three chains” initiative includes machinery manufacturing, integrating smelting, casting, processing, and assembly to develop hydraulic machinery, mining machinery, and oil machinery industries, aiming for a 50 billion yuan scale by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. Secondly, the photovoltaic industry chain focuses on Comprox’s high-purity silicon to build a complete system from polysilicon to power generation systems, targeting 20 billion yuan by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. Thirdly, the electronic and electrical industry chain aims to expand and strengthen leading products like UHV electrode foils, flexible circuit boards, and micro-channel flat tubes, targeting 20 billion yuan by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. Additionally, efforts are underway to upgrade traditional sectors such as textiles and garments, enhancing technological content, building brands, and promoting key enterprises like Bosideng Garments, Yonghui Polypropylene, and Sanhong Duvets. Major enterprises drive industrial growth. This year, Gaoyou Development Zone is concentrating on optimizing its industrial structure and core competitiveness. Key projects include Kangbo New Materials’ 8,000-ton high-purity silicon, Walmart Opto Semiconductors’ ultra-thin backlit keyboards, Beautiful Future’s 40-million-unit touchscreens, computer modules, aerospace hydraulic turbines, and Yonghui Technology’s polypropylene-like feather down, among Others. Goals include achieving an annual output value of 30 billion yuan for one company, over 10 billion yuan for another, two companies surpassing 5 billion yuan, and ten companies exceeding 1 billion yuan, with two aiming for public listing. The future looks promising for Gaoyou, as it continues to evolve and strengthen its industrial foundation.