EU Energy Grid as Fragile as European Defence, Industry Warns

Europe's Energy Security: A New Priority

At the Munich Security Conference, industry leaders emphasized that Europe’s energy security should be treated with the same level of urgency as national defense. This call for action comes in response to a series of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russia, which have exposed vulnerabilities within the European Union.

Markus Rauramo, president of Eurelectric, highlighted the need for a fundamental shift in mindset. "We live in a new reality of increasing threats," he said. "Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from both physical and hybrid attacks must be a key element of power companies’ strategies going forward."

The experts argue that Europe's energy infrastructure needs to be reinforced and its repair capabilities strengthened. Cyber resilience must be embedded by design, they added, as the continent faces an increasing number of hybrid threats, including sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation. Experts believe that Russia is testing Europe’s resilience through these attacks.

In 2024 alone, at least 11 attacks damaged critical infrastructure. Since 2022, there have been 23 cyberattacks targeting Europe’s energy sector. These incidents are becoming more frequent and severe, putting pressure on power utilities to ensure a reliable supply of electricity.

The Role of Inverters in Clean Power

As Europe moves toward clean power production, inverter devices have become essential. These devices convert direct current electricity from sources like solar panels, batteries, and wind systems into alternating current electricity that can be used as power. Without inverters, it's not possible to integrate clean power into the grid, making them a key pillar of Europe’s energy security and power system stability.

However, China's dominance in inverter production is a growing concern for Europe. EU lawmakers urged the European Commission last November to restrict Chinese solar inverter manufacturers' access to the bloc’s energy infrastructure due to cybersecurity concerns. Through companies such as Huawei, Sungrow, and Growatt, China controls the majority of inverter installations in Europe—roughly 70–80% of the market—while European producers compete for the remaining share.

Energy and Security: A Linked Concern

The urgency to protect energy infrastructure has never been more palpable. For the first time, NATO officials joined EU energy ministers at the Council last December to discuss the link between energy and security amid current geopolitical tensions and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Discussions focused on protecting critical energy infrastructure, particularly in response to attacks on underwater cables and pipelines. The goal is to foster cooperation between defense and energy policies, which are increasingly linked by common threats.

NATO's deputy secretary general, Radmila Šekerinska, attended the meeting and emphasized the importance of maintaining contact with energy ministers. "It's crucial to ensure the integrity of critical infrastructure," she said, according to an EU diplomatic source familiar with the discussions. She also expressed concerns about the growing entanglement between the Russian industry and China, as well as its ties with Iran and North Korea.

"We're worried seeing the Russian industry more entangled with China as well as its ties with Iran and North Korea. It's time to shift to a more war mindset," Šekerinska added.