Europe Warns of Rising Threats to Energy Grids and Undersea Infrastructure

European officials and industry reporting have highlighted a widening threat to critical infrastructure as cyber risks to electricity networks grow alongside military monitoring of subsea assets. An International Energy Agency assessment cited in Spanish reporting said cyberattacks on critical energy infrastructure rose 30% in 2023 to 420 million globally, while attacks on energy service companies have quadrupled since 2020. Recent incidents include the 2022 satellite communications disruption that knocked 5,800 wind turbines offline in Germany and breaches affecting more than 20 Danish energy companies. Authorities have also warned that compromised smart meters, solar inverters, and battery systems could be used to destabilize grid frequency or trigger broader outages.

The concern extends beyond direct hacking to supply-chain and geopolitical exposure tied to digitally connected clean-energy equipment and other strategic infrastructure. European and U.S. authorities reviewed communications modules in imported solar and battery systems, while Lithuania moved to block remote access by Chinese suppliers to solar, wind, and storage control platforms. Separately, the UK said British and Norwegian forces carried out a month-long operation to track a Russian attack submarine and two GUGI-linked spy submarines near North Atlantic cables and pipelines, underscoring fears that hostile states could target the seabed networks that carry 99% of international telecommunications traffic and support a major share of regional energy supplies.