Denmark has issued an alert, only days after the United States identified "kill switches" in Chinese solar equipment.
Suspicious materials have been found in East Asian circuit boards destined for Denmark's green power grid. The findings have evoked concerns of spying, sabotage, and overdependence on overseas technology.
Technology companies, which had planned to use the parts in green power infrastructure, say the discovery raises questions about energy security and espionage.
A week after the US claimed to have found "kill switches" in a shipment of solar panels and batteries from China, it has sparked worries about the possibility of remote power outages or digital espionage, as quoted in a report by The Sunday Times.
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The issue has gained more attention since the massive blackout that struck parts of Portugal and Spain two weeks ago. Both countries rely significantly on solar energy infrastructure manufactured in China.
The Danish government has not yet disclosed the type of electronics, their apparent function, or the nation from which they originated.
The components from "the East" were discovered during routine inspections of a "development project" that had never been connected to the grid, according to Green Power Denmark, an umbrella organization for 1,500 Danish renewable technology companies.
The organization stated, "It's a clear warning: threats to energy security can hide in plain sight." "Sabotage isn't always the true threat. Unlisted components are another possibility. hidden features. Danish energy companies disassemble and inspect before anything goes online,” as per the report.
He told Reuters that it’s possible the supplier didn't mean any harm. However, that doesn't alter the fact that these elements shouldn't exist.
The head of the lobby group SolarPower Europe, Walburga Hemetsberger, called for an investigation and described the discovery as extremely alarming.
The Danish government has not yet stated if it will get involved in the case, though.
Experts have warned more forcefully in recent years about the security threat posed by China's monopoly on the supply of numerous types of renewable energy components in Europe, including batteries, turbines, and inverters that balance power voltage as it enters the grid.
Unlisted electronic components were discovered during routine checks on East Asian-made parts for green energy usage.
Do you have proof of sabotage?
Not yet, experts say the parts may be harmless, but their undocumented presence remains a major concern.
Suspicious materials have been found in East Asian circuit boards destined for Denmark's green power grid. The findings have evoked concerns of spying, sabotage, and overdependence on overseas technology.
What exactly was found in Denmark’s energy components
Danish power firms found unlisted parts on East Asian circuit boards meant for green infrastructure. The episode illustrates increasing distrust of foreign technology in key energy systems, according to an industry group.Technology companies, which had planned to use the parts in green power infrastructure, say the discovery raises questions about energy security and espionage.
A week after the US claimed to have found "kill switches" in a shipment of solar panels and batteries from China, it has sparked worries about the possibility of remote power outages or digital espionage, as quoted in a report by The Sunday Times.
ALSO READ: Will Trump deport Belgium's future queen? She's caught up in Harvard foreign student ban and situation is uncertain
The issue has gained more attention since the massive blackout that struck parts of Portugal and Spain two weeks ago. Both countries rely significantly on solar energy infrastructure manufactured in China.
The Danish government has not yet disclosed the type of electronics, their apparent function, or the nation from which they originated.
The components from "the East" were discovered during routine inspections of a "development project" that had never been connected to the grid, according to Green Power Denmark, an umbrella organization for 1,500 Danish renewable technology companies.
The organization stated, "It's a clear warning: threats to energy security can hide in plain sight." "Sabotage isn't always the true threat. Unlisted components are another possibility. hidden features. Danish energy companies disassemble and inspect before anything goes online,” as per the report.
Could this be a new form of digital sabotage?
Green Power Denmark's technical director, Jorgen Christensen, stated that there was no evidence of wrongdoing and that the enigmatic electronics might have been added to the circuit boards to serve an innocent purpose.He told Reuters that it’s possible the supplier didn't mean any harm. However, that doesn't alter the fact that these elements shouldn't exist.
The head of the lobby group SolarPower Europe, Walburga Hemetsberger, called for an investigation and described the discovery as extremely alarming.
The Danish government has not yet stated if it will get involved in the case, though.
Experts have warned more forcefully in recent years about the security threat posed by China's monopoly on the supply of numerous types of renewable energy components in Europe, including batteries, turbines, and inverters that balance power voltage as it enters the grid.
FAQs
What did Denmark find on imported circuit boards?Unlisted electronic components were discovered during routine checks on East Asian-made parts for green energy usage.
Do you have proof of sabotage?
Not yet, experts say the parts may be harmless, but their undocumented presence remains a major concern.
