The digital wave washing over the green energy sector has a hidden flaw: the software governing this transformation is often controlled by external entities. This reality was underscored on April 1 when Vietnam took a pioneering step by allowing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network to operate within its borders, but with a crucial caveat: all data must pass through four state-controlled gateways on Vietnamese soil. This stipulation ensures that no foreign server processes Vietnamese data without local oversight, a move that went largely unnoticed in global headlines.
Vietnam’s decisive action is a harbinger of a much larger struggle in the global energy transition landscape, one that involves not just renewable energy hardware like solar panels and wind turbines, but also the control over the digital infrastructure that powers these systems. In many cases, this control resides with foreign entities, posing a significant risk to national security.
The intertwining of clean energy with national defense has made the software as critical as the hardware. Despite owning the physical components, countries often find the software in the hands of external tech giants or foreign powers. Christoph Podewils from the European Solar Manufacturing Council highlighted this vulnerability, stating, “Europe has effectively surrendered remote control of a vast portion of its electricity infrastructure.”
With over 200 gigawatts of European solar power tied to Chinese-manufactured inverters, equivalent to the output of more than 200 nuclear plants, the risk is substantial. These inverters, essential for converting generated power into usable electricity, are predominantly connected to the internet for grid functions. Key manufacturers, such as Huawei and Sungrow, supply about 55% of global solar inverters, with obligations under Chinese law to aid national intelligence if required.
The Brains Behind the Infrastructure
U.S. analysts discovered in 2025 that these inverters contained components enabling potential remote access to solar installations. The European Union’s security protocol has identified solar inverter dependency as a high-risk area for critical infrastructure.
In late 2025, a cyberattack on Poland’s power grid exploited these vulnerabilities. While Poland’s defenses held, the incident served as a stark warning to global infrastructure operators about the potential for future attacks.
Europe imports a significant portion of its energy, costing over $466 billion annually, creating a ‘blackout potential’ due to the digital centralization of grid management. Seven manufacturers have “root-level” access to 10 gigawatts of generation capacity, allowing for potentially malicious remote interventions.
In response, the European Commission has blocked EU funding for projects using high-risk foreign inverters, marking a bold step toward reclaiming digital sovereignty. However, this policy does not address the existing infrastructure, leaving a substantial gap in cybersecurity.
Critics, including China’s Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, argue that the EU’s stance lacks justification, pointing out China’s significant contributions to Europe’s energy transition. Meanwhile, DNV’s principal consultant Ryan Davidson notes that while the ban fosters energy sovereignty, it does not mitigate the risks posed by the vast array of installed Chinese inverters.
Securing the Energy Future
Vietnam’s approach highlights the need for proactive security measures in the energy sector, demonstrating that welcoming foreign technology does not have to compromise digital sovereignty. As nations begin to understand the vulnerability of interconnected systems, Vietnam’s model of domestic data control may become increasingly relevant.
Caspar Hobhouse of the European Institute of Security Studies urges the EU to expedite efforts to mitigate risks associated with Chinese influence in Europe’s energy infrastructure. As the transition to green energy continues, the critical question remains: who truly controls the infrastructure that powers our future?
Original Story at www.forbes.com