Germany may be under the energy influence of China through the use of Chinese wind turbines. According to the German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies, Chinese companies have access to wind power software and can use it for political pressure. The study was commissioned by the German Ministry of Defense.
How can China affect Germany's energy? Wind power plants provide a third of Germany and a fifth of the EU. Chinese companies can remotely switch off turbines, collect confidential data and delay the construction of new projects. This creates a significant risk of blackmail and cyberattacks, especially in the case of worsening political relations between Berlin and Beijing. Researchers recommend that the German government give up the use of Chinese components for wind power plants to avoid the risk of destabilization of the power system.
In 2024, the European Union launched a campaign against Chinese suppliers of wind power technologies, suspecting them of dishonest competition and receiving the State Subsidium. The investigation into the European Commission on Chinese Wind Projects is ongoing in Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania and Spain. In the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland and Lithuania, they are already discussing legal measures to restrict access to Chinese companies to energy projects. According to experts, Europe's dependence on Chinese turbines can increase the risk of cyberattacks. Researchers emphasize that China can use its impact on political and economic blackmail, coordinating actions even with Russia.
Despite all the threats, German companies continue to cooperate with China. For example, Luxcara developer ordered 16 Chinese turbines Ming Yang Smart Energy for the Waterkant Marine Wind Power Plant. However, the increasing threat of blackmail and cyberattack can force Europe to review its dependence on China in the energy sphere.
