TL:DR – Eurelectric Urges Europe to Prioritise Energy Security Amid Rising Threats
• European industry leaders, at the Munich Security Conference on 13 February 2026, emphasised the need to prioritise energy security alongside defence.
• Eurelectric president Markus Rauramo stated that Europe must adapt to increasing threats by enhancing energy infrastructure and repair capabilities.
• The energy sector has faced 23 cyberattacks since 2022, highlighting vulnerabilities exposed by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
• EU lawmakers last November urged restrictions on Chinese solar inverter manufacturers due to cybersecurity risks.
• NATO officials have begun collaborating with EU energy ministers on securing critical energy infrastructure.
‘EU energy infrastructure is as vulnerable as European defence,’ industry warns
Europe’s Energy Security Urged as Critical Issue
Europe’s energy security has been called to action with the same urgency as defence, industry leaders stated on Friday during the Munich Security Conference. This statement follows a series of attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, revealing vulnerabilities within the European Union.
The significance of this statement is underscored by the increasing threats to energy systems, with officials advocating for a reassessment of strategies in the face of escalating attacks. Markus Rauramo, President of Eurelectric, emphasised the need for power companies to consider preparation for both physical and hybrid attacks as essential to their future operations.
Expert Calls for Reinforcement of Energy Infrastructure
According to Eurelectric, Europe’s energy infrastructure must be strengthened, and repair capabilities enhanced, with cyber resilience integrated by design. The industry noted an increasing number of hybrid threats, such as sabotage and cyberattacks, with reports indicating that 2024 saw at least 11 incidents damaging critical infrastructure and 23 cyberattacks targeting the energy sector since 2022.
A recent incident left approximately 45,000 households in Berlin without electricity after fire damaged high-voltage power lines. Regardless of the attackers’ identity, Eurelectric states these events are rising in scale and frequency, pressing power utilities to ensure a reliable energy supply.
Concerns Over Chinese Dominance in Inverter Production
As Europe transitions to clean power, the reliance on inverter devices has highlighted concerns over China’s market dominance. These devices are crucial for converting direct current from renewable sources into usable alternating current for the grid.
EU lawmakers expressed the urgency for the European Commission to limit access for Chinese solar inverter manufacturers to the bloc’s energy infrastructure due to cybersecurity threats. Chinese companies like Huawei, Sungrow, and Growatt reportedly control 70–80% of inverter installations in Europe.
NATO and EU Collaboration on Energy Security
The urgency surrounding energy infrastructure protection has prompted NATO to engage with EU energy ministers to establish connections between energy and security amid growing geopolitical tensions. The discussions, which included protecting vital energy infrastructure against threats such as attacks on underwater cables and pipelines, aim to enhance cooperation between defence and energy policies.
NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska stated that maintaining contact with energy ministers is crucial for ensuring the integrity of critical infrastructure. She cautioned against the entanglement of Russian industry with China and called for a shift to a more combat-ready mindset in response to these threats.
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