Renewable energy is breaking its records globally, and the share of electricity produced from clean power sources is predicted to increase even more in the coming years. On the one hand, many governments face strong pressure from society to decarbonize and tackle the climate crisis. Furthermore, investments in renewables have surged as a reaction to the growing energy security concerns. At the same time, the remarkable Chinese dominance in the solar and wind power market has increased Western dependency on its clean energy technology. Smart technology used in solar photovoltaic and wind power systems offers numerous opportunities for conveniently measuring and monitoring our energy consumption in a user-friendly way. The cyber security risks are often underestimated or even neglected, albeit the number of cyber-attacks is on the rise. Moreover, unpredictable geopolitical challenges, competition, and contradictory political interests bring additional uncertainty. The risk perception about solar and wind power systems’ vulnerabilities and the countermeasures applied to protect them is relatively variable among the NATO nations and partners. Often, the opposing challenges and dilemmas also hinder decision-making. At the same time, concerns about cybersecurity and overreliance on Chinese technology are growing in many countries, emphasizing the need for implementing well-coordinated and risk-minimizing measures.
