Solar Sector Calls for Enhanced Cybersecurity Regulations for Distributed Energy Systems

In response to the growing digitalization of the energy sector, SolarPower Europe has released a new position paper on cybersecurity. Alongside this paper, SolarPower Europe has also issued a corresponding statement:

Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe (he/him), said,

“The digitalisation of the energy sector is a no-brainer. It increases power plant efficiency and allows for better managing of distributed energy to match demand and grid capacity. A digital, electrified, energy system will cost Europeans €160 billion less by 2040.However, like technological revolutions before, it also comes with new challenges, like cybersecurity. We didn’t need anti-virus protection for a typewriter – but we do need it for our laptops.Today, the risk of an impactful cyberattack on Europe’s grid via solar plants is limited.

Project developers and manufacturers already implement cybersecurity measures in their interest.And new world-leading EU cybersecurity legislation like the updated Network and Information Security Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act come with new mandate requirements.

However, we’re a future-looking sector, on our way to providing the majority of Europe’s electricity. We take that responsibility seriously.There are clear steps to be taken on the lower voltage levels, including improving cyber risk assessments, setting a new EU standard for product security for distributed energy resources, and empowering consumers to manage their device security.

Any centrally co-ordinated or managed devices (for example, aggregated rooftop solar installations) should have an EU or nationally authorised layer of monitoring.”