British experts have issued a recent report warning that Europe’s reliance on China’s “low-carbon green technology” poses national security risks, including cyberattacks, trade restrictions, and espionage activities.
The report, co-authored by Michael Collins, former Deputy Director of National Security Strategy at the UK Cabinet Office, and Michal Meidan, Director of China Energy Issues at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, identified eight independent risks related to the overreliance on Chinese “green technology” in Europe. It pointed out that European governments have not fully considered these risks as they promote China’s “green technology” to secure energy supply and address climate change while trying to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Commissioned by Loom, a non-profit organization focusing on economic, environmental, and national security issues, the report received funding support from the New Energy Industrial Strategy Center, a non-profit organization in the United States.
According to the data released in the report, China currently supplies 98% of Europe’s solar panels, 88% of lithium-ion battery imports, and 61% of inverter imports. China also produces around 90% of global solar panels, over 80% of wind turbines, 80% of battery packs, as well as controls a wide supply chain of rare earth and semiconductor materials. Chinese electric vehicle brands have been steadily increasing their market share in Europe.
The report mentioned that “many areas that the West once led are now dominated by China.”
Among the risks listed in the report, supply chain disruption was identified as the greatest threat. It was noted that the Chinese Communist Party could actively restrict exports of low-carbon technology and components to Europe, cutting off the supply chain, as evidenced by Beijing’s increasing use of export controls in recent years.
Long-term economic damage was classified as a “highly likely” risk. The report warned that Europe’s industrial competitiveness would continue to weaken as a result, with the automotive, wind technology manufacturing, and artificial intelligence sectors possibly affected. Europe’s defense industry would also face risks due to its reliance on Chinese-manufactured components similar to “green technology” products.
The report also suggested that the Chinese government is “highly likely” to use “green technology” for surveillance activities, such as tracking submarine movements through offshore energy infrastructure or collecting audio and video data through sensors in electric vehicles.
Additionally, the report pointed out an underestimated risk—that the United States may demand Europe to remove Chinese technology from its energy systems, or face tariffs, sanctions, or reductions in security commitments.
The UK has already banned Huawei from participating in its 5G network construction under US pressure, setting a precedent for such risks.
The report also mentioned that China might use a “kill switch” to remotely disable solar panels, electric vehicles, or power grids, but such attacks were considered “extremely unlikely” unless in a state of war with China.
Collins warned that countries face the risk of “sleepwalking into suddenly facing major national security issues,” and urged countries to diversify supply chains while advancing energy transition, cautioning against replacing dependence on fossil fuel imports with reliance on Chinese low-carbon technology.
Joss Garman, Executive Director of Loom, stated that while recent impacts on fossil fuel prices should accelerate Europe’s energy transition, “the cheapest route still overwhelmingly points to China, bringing along new dangers.”
In fact, European countries have become increasingly aware of the issues surrounding dependence on Chinese supply chains in recent times. At the policy level, the UK has rejected the construction of a Chinese wind turbine factory in Scotland on national security grounds, while Italy last year required new solar projects to use non-Chinese manufactured products.