Brussels stalls on Chinese language photo voltaic provide chain probe

The European Fee has but to launch a long-awaited probe into cybersecurity dangers within the photo voltaic panel provide chain, whilst panels with probably suspicious Chinese language parts proceed to enter EU ports.

In March, the Fee stated it will examine dangers related to photo voltaic panel inverters, which convert photovoltaic (PV) power into usable electrical energy and join it to the grid. The priority is that these might be accessed remotely by hostile actors.

In Could, Reuters reported on the presence of suspicious Chinese language parts in photo voltaic panels put in within the US, including to considerations. Nonetheless, with Brussels heading into its summer time break, no investigation has but been launched, not to mention any findings introduced.

“No danger evaluation has began,” a Fee spokesperson advised Euractiv. The spokesperson added that an investigation may begin quickly, however offered no timeline.

The delay comes amid warnings from the {industry} that crucial quantities of Chinese language {hardware} have already been put in throughout Europe. Greater than ten firms may have entry to over three gigawatts (GW) of photo voltaic capability – a degree consultants say may threaten grid stability and result in blackouts if compromised.

“It’s essential that we’ve an EU-level danger evaluation sooner slightly than later,” stated Jan Osenberg, who’s answerable for system integration on the SolarPower Europe foyer group.

“Time is of the essence,” stated Christoph Podewils, secretary-general on the European photo voltaic producer foyer group ESMC. He warned that round 200 GW of Chinese language inverters that “are managed by way of the Web and often obtain software program updates, which can be utilized to put in malicious code.” 

Osenberg additionally referred to as for “industry-specific rules” to deal with these new dangers. An “EU evaluation is the following step in delivering that framework,” he added.

In the meantime, a rising variety of Chinese language-linked inverters are being put in in Europe. The EU imported round 100 GW of doubtless susceptible panels in 2024 and is on monitor for related ranges this yr.

(de)