Europe is grappling with growing concerns over the cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese-made photovoltaic inverters, prompting discussions about restricting high-risk suppliers from connecting to its power systems. The debate mirrors the 2019 US ban on Huawei solar inverters, which cited potential remote control threats to the power grid, particularly during wartime.
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has proposed an EU "Inverter Security Toolbox," modeled after the 5G security framework, to address vulnerabilities in grid-connected inverters, particularly those from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and Sungrow.
The urgency stems from Europe's heavy reliance on Chinese solar equipment: 95% of solar modules and over 80% of inverters are sourced from China, with Huawei and Sungrow controlling remote access to GW of Europe's solar capacity—equivalent to over 200 nuclear power plants. A SolarPower Europe report warns that a cyberattack on just GW of inverter capacity could destabilize the European grid.
In 2023, Chinese vendors supplied 70% of global secure solar inverters, with Huawei holding the largest market share. Recent developments have heightened scrutiny. Huawei has been expelled from European solar associations, including SolarPower Europe and BusinessEurope, while Eurelectric is considering suspending Huawei's membership by June.
EU and Belgian investigations since 2021 have uncovered Huawei's lobbying efforts, involving economic incentives and event invitations, leading to prosecutions and expanded bans on Huawei-linked lobbying groups.
The strategic importance of electricity, especially in conflict scenarios, amplifies these concerns. The 2019 US ban on Huawei inverters was driven by fears that adversaries could remotely disrupt critical applications like home electricity and electric vehicle charging. Although Huawei has exited the US market, other Chinese manufacturers have filled the gap, offering cost-competitive products that continue to dominate globally.
Critics argue that banning Chinese inverters could raise costs and disrupt supply chains, as European alternatives are 30-50% more expensive. The European Commission is assessing cybersecurity risks in the solar value chain, with the ESMC advocating for measures like Lithuania's 2023 ban on Chinese inverters. As Europe balances energy security and economic considerations, the proposed toolbox aims to enforce risk assessments and limit remote access by high-risk vendors.
Article edited by Jack Wu
