China’s clean tech grip raises national security threat to Europe: Report

Europe’s aggressive shift to renewable energy is being seen as a solution to energy shocks but a new report suggests it may also be creating a different kind of risk.

A fresh report has warned that Europe’s growing reliance on Chinese-made green technologies could expose it to national security threats, including cyber vulnerabilities, supply disruptions and geopolitical pressure.

The report, co-authored by former UK national security official Michael Collins and energy analyst Michal Meidan as reported by the Financial Times, argues that policymakers are moving too fast on clean energy adoption without fully accounting for the strategic risks involved.

China dominates the green supply chain

China’s hold over the global clean energy ecosystem is overwhelming. It produces around 90 per cent of the world’s solar modules, over 80 per cent of wind turbines and roughly the same share of battery cells. It also controls key supply chains for rare earth minerals and semiconductor components essential for these technologies.

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This dominance has made Chinese equipment the most affordable and widely used option for countries racing to cut emissions. But it has also created a new dependency — one that experts say could be difficult to unwind.

Collins cautioned that Europe risks drifting into a vulnerable position if it replaces fossil fuel dependence with reliance on a single foreign supplier for low-carbon technologies.

Security risks go beyond supply

The report identifies several risks tied to this dependence.

A major concern is supply chain disruption. China has, in recent years, used export controls as a strategic tool, raising fears that access to critical green tech components could be restricted during periods of geopolitical tension.

There is also the possibility of political pressure from allies. The report notes that the United States could push European nations to remove Chinese technology from their energy systems — mirroring the earlier exclusion of Chinese telecom gear from 5G networks — potentially triggering trade or security consequences.

Cybersecurity is another area of concern. The authors flag the theoretical risk of embedded “kill switches” in equipment that could allow remote disruption of solar farms or wind turbines.

Devices such as inverters, which link renewable energy systems to the power grid, are seen as particularly sensitive points.

Energy security is evolving, not disappearing

The findings come as Europe continues to deal with energy volatility following recent shocks linked to conflict in West Asia. Renewable energy has increasingly been seen as a safer alternative to fossil fuels, which are prone to price swings and supply disruptions.

However, the report suggests that the nature of energy security is changing rather than improving outright.

Recent policy decisions reflect this shift. The United Kingdom has already moved to remove certain Chinese-linked components from its power network over cybersecurity concerns, and has blocked a proposed Chinese wind turbine factory on security grounds.

Italy, too, has taken steps to limit the use of Chinese components in new solar projects, while the European Union has introduced “Made in Europe” rules aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing in strategic sectors, including green technology.

China rejects concerns

China has dismissed fears around its dominance in clean energy supply chains, maintaining that its products are helping accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels by lowering costs.

At the same time, Beijing has criticised European industrial policies as discriminatory, warning of retaliation if Chinese companies are unfairly restricted.