What's Happening?
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has endorsed the European Commission's new Economic Security Doctrine, which identifies Chinese solar inverters as a high-risk dependency. The doctrine addresses
risks from supplier concentration and potential cyber threats, proposing measures like coordinated cyber-risk assessments and certification under the Cyber Resilience Act. ESMC supports reducing dependencies on Chinese suppliers, noting that 80% of new photovoltaic installations in Europe rely on Chinese inverters. The Council advocates for developing trusted suppliers within the EU and trusted third countries to mitigate cybersecurity risks and ensure a resilient European power system.
Why It's Important?
The EU's focus on reducing dependency on Chinese solar inverters is significant for energy security and technological sovereignty. By addressing cybersecurity risks associated with foreign suppliers, the EU aims to protect its critical infrastructure from potential disruptions. This move could stimulate the European solar manufacturing sector, encouraging investment in local production and innovation. It also aligns with broader geopolitical strategies to reduce reliance on non-EU countries for essential technologies. For the U.S., this development highlights the importance of securing supply chains and could influence similar policies to ensure energy independence and cybersecurity.
What's Next?
The ESMC plans to establish an EU-level whitelist of trustworthy inverter vendors and integrate this into various EU frameworks. This initiative aims to enhance the EU's energy security by promoting a resilient and cyber-secure ecosystem of inverter technologies. The Council will collaborate with EU and national authorities, grid operators, and other stakeholders to implement the new economic-security framework. This includes promoting high cybersecurity standards and diversified supply chains to reduce reliance on dominant suppliers. The ESMC's efforts could lead to increased collaboration with U.S. and other Western manufacturers to strengthen global energy security.
