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US experts have uncovered hidden “kill switches” within Chinese-made power inverters installed at solar farms across the United States. These rogue devices, including concealed cellular radios, could potentially be activated remotely, crippling power grids and triggering widespread blackouts.
The discovery, first reported by Reuters, has ignited serious concerns about China’s ability to infiltrate and compromise critical energy infrastructure in the US and Europe. These inverters, essential for connecting solar panels and wind turbines to the electrical grid, contained undisclosed transmitters that could bypass standard security firewalls.
According to a source familiar with the findings, this hidden technology effectively provides “a built-in way to physically destroy the grid.” The inverters, sourced from multiple Chinese suppliers, were found to have these covert components during pre-connection security checks conducted by US experts. The devices allow for remote access and control, meaning China could potentially switch off inverters or alter their settings to destabilize the grid.
A notable security incident occurred in November when solar power inverters in the US were disabled remotely, allegedly originating from China. While the extent of the damage remains unclear, the incident underscores the vulnerability of Western electricity networks relying on Chinese technology.
Mike Rogers, former director of the US National Security Agency, stated that China sees “value in placing at least some elements of our core infrastructure at risk of destruction or disruption.” He suggests the widespread use of these inverters limits the West’s options to address the growing security issue.
Huawei, the world’s largest supplier of inverters, has faced scrutiny in the past. The tech giant was banned from US telecoms networks in 2019 due to national security concerns over potential backdoor access in its 5G equipment.
The UK and Europe are also vulnerable due to the presence of Chinese-made components in renewable energy infrastructure. A British government review is currently underway to assess the risks posed by Chinese inverters in the country’s solar farms and wind turbines.
Philipp Schröder, CEO of German solar developer 1Komma5, emphasized the growing threat: “China’s dominance is becoming a bigger issue because of the growing renewables capacity on Western grids and the increased likelihood of a prolonged and serious confrontation between China and the West.” His company avoids using Huawei inverters due to these security risks.
US officials are now advocating for a comprehensive reassessment of potential security vulnerabilities. Congressman August Pfluger, a member of the US Senate homeland security committee, asserted that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) “stops at nothing to target our sensitive infrastructure and components.”
The discovery of these hidden “kill switches” amplifies concerns about China’s technological influence and highlights the urgent need to secure critical infrastructure against potential cyberattacks. As tensions escalate between China and the West, safeguarding energy grids becomes paramount.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington dismissed the report, stating, “We oppose the generalisation of the concept of national security, distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements.”