US energy officials are reassessing the security risks posed by Chinese-made power inverters and batteries—key components in renewable energy infrastructure—following the discovery of unauthorised communication devices embedded within them, two sources familiar with the matter said.
The devices, found during routine equipment inspections, raise serious concerns about the vulnerability of American power grids. Inverters, which connect solar panels and wind turbines to the electricity grid, are widely manufactured in China and are also used in electric vehicle chargers, batteries, and heat pumps.
While these inverters are designed for remote updates and maintenance, firewalls are typically installed to block direct external communication. However, US experts have discovered rogue communication modules—such as undocumented cellular radios—inside several Chinese-manufactured inverters and batteries. These could potentially bypass firewalls and create hidden backdoors to the grid, with the potential for catastrophic consequences such as power disruptions or grid failures.
“This effectively means there is a built-in way to physically destroy the grid,” one of the unnamed experts warned.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has not publicly acknowledged the findings but confirmed ongoing work to address risks associated with undocumented software and hardware functionalities. A spokesperson said, “While this functionality may not have malicious intent, it is critical for those procuring to have a full understanding of the capabilities of the products received.”
Security analysts note that the risk lies not just in espionage but in the potential to remotely alter settings or shut down equipment en masse. These concerns have intensified as renewable energy becomes a larger part of the power mix.
Former NSA director Mike Rogers said the Chinese government may be using this approach to create long-term vulnerabilities in Western infrastructure. “China believes there is value in placing at least some elements of our core infrastructure at risk,” he noted.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington dismissed the concerns, stating: “We oppose the generalisation of the concept of national security, distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements.”
The fears come amid broader US-China tensions. In February, US lawmakers introduced legislation to ban the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing Chinese-made batteries from companies believed to be linked to the Chinese Communist Party. Utilities in the US, including Florida Power & Light Company, are reportedly seeking to reduce reliance on Chinese-made inverters.
Globally, Chinese companies like Huawei, Sungrow, and Ginlong Solis dominate the inverter market, with Huawei accounting for nearly 30% of global shipments in 2022. Though Huawei exited the US inverter market in 2019 following its 5G ban, its products remain widely used elsewhere.
“Ten years ago, shutting off Chinese inverters wouldn’t have affected European grids much,” said Philipp Schroeder, CEO of German solar firm 1Komma5. “But now, China’s dominance is becoming a bigger issue.”
The potential impact is massive: over 200 gigawatts of European solar capacity—equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants—are linked to Chinese inverters, according to the European Solar Manufacturing Council.
Cybersecurity experts warn that remotely manipulating even a small percentage of these systems could destabilise entire grids. “That could have catastrophic implications,” said Uri Sadot of Israeli inverter manufacturer SolarEdge.
Other countries are taking action. Lithuania recently passed legislation to block Chinese remote access to energy systems above 100 kilowatts, and Estonia is considering similar restrictions. The UK is also conducting a security review of Chinese components in its energy infrastructure.
A reported incident in November 2024, where inverters in the US and other countries were allegedly disabled remotely from China, further heightened concerns. The disruption, linked to a commercial dispute between suppliers, highlighted the risk of foreign influence over local power systems. Neither Sol-Ark nor Deye, the companies involved, provided detailed comments.
While sectors like telecommunications and semiconductors have introduced stringent regulations, the renewable energy sector lags behind. Analysts attribute this to the regulatory gap for smaller installations, which increasingly make up a significant portion of national power supplies.
As NATO and other Western alliances urge vigilance against strategic dependencies, officials warn that energy security must be treated as a priority. “We must identify strategic dependencies and take steps to reduce them,” a NATO official stated.
The US continues to review its supply chains, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign technology and bolster domestic production of critical energy equipment. The stakes, experts warn, are higher than ever.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
