Digitalization is a tremendous opportunity for the energy transition, but it does pose some challenges as well. On Monday, the German Minister of the Interior and the SPD’s top candidate for the Hessian state elections Nancy Faeser and SPD party leader Saskia Esken visited SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA). They spoke to Jürgen Reinert, SMA’s CEO, about the threat of hacker attacks and the importance of cybersecurity for the future energy supply. They were also accompanied by SPD representatives from Hesse on a tour of SMA’s state-of-the-art electronics production for printed circuit boards, which is to be expanded next year.
“Digital energy systems have the potential to cut costs for everybody and reduce carbon emissions. But very few companies know how to successfully handle consumer data,” emphasized SMA CEO Jürgen Reinert in his discussion with Nancy Faeser.
“Drawing on our years of expertise and combined knowledge of electronics, software development and cybersecurity, we at SMA ensure that our products and system solutions always meet the rigorous requirements in force for critical infrastructures. This is far from the case for all manufacturers of PV inverters, particularly if they are manufactured outside Europe,” Jürgen Reinert went on to say. “So my hope is that political decision-makers will pay the same level of attention to issues such as cybersecurity and sustainability as they do to technology subsidies. Resilient energy and communication structures are a prerequisite for transforming energy and transport infrastructure, for digitalization and for climate protection.”
Nancy Faeser was impressed by what the systems and solutions provider had to offer and stressed the importance of longstanding expertise made in Hesse: “I’m thrilled about the commitment that SMA is making to North Hesse with its new GIGAWATT-Factory and the 200 or more new jobs it is creating here in the region. The systematic expansion of renewable energies is vital for climate protection and indispensable for the future of our industry. What’s more, innovations from this region make us competitive in relation to other states. Hesse needs the innovative prowess and strengths of our companies to become a trailblazer of the energy transition.”
