A new report has raised concerns that Europe’s growing dependence on Chinese-made solar inverters could expose the continent to a major cybersecurity threat.
According to the report, if hardware backdoors were exploited or malicious software updates were pushed to millions of connected inverters at the same time, Beijing could theoretically disrupt large parts of Europe’s electricity grid and trigger widespread blackouts.
Solar inverters play a critical role in renewable energy systems by converting electricity generated from solar panels into power that can be used by homes, businesses, and the wider grid. Because these devices require continuous software updates, remote maintenance, and performance monitoring, they remain permanently connected to the internet, making them a potential target for cyberattacks.
The report claims that around 80 percent of Europe’s new solar installations now depend on Chinese-made inverters, with companies such as Huawei and Sungrow dominating the market. It argues that this heavy reliance creates a significant security risk, pointing to China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires organizations to assist the country’s intelligence services when requested.
Rather than viewing the issue as simple market competition, the report describes it as a deeper vulnerability embedded within Europe’s critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts cited in the report warn that anyone with remote access to these internet-connected devices could potentially disrupt electricity supplies without carrying out a traditional military attack.
The report estimates that controlling around 10 gigawatts of electrical capacity would be enough to cause a serious disruption to the European power network. It further claims that Chinese-made infrastructure currently accounts for well over 220 gigawatts of Europe’s solar capacity, significantly increasing the potential impact if those systems were ever compromised.
The European Commission has already taken steps to reduce the risk by moving to block European Union funding from being used to purchase Chinese solar inverters. However, the report argues that the decision comes far too late and criticizes European leaders for prioritizing lower-cost, heavily subsidized imports over long-term national security concerns.
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China Could Trigger Massive Blackouts Across Europe Through Solar Inverters, Report Warns
