A group of military experts has expressed concerns about the planned installation of Chinese wind turbines in the German North Sea. The project, located off the coast of Borkum, is set to be the first to feature turbines produced in China.
According to an analysis by the Institute for Defence and Strategy (GIDS), commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Defence, the use of Chinese wind power equipment poses significant risks. These risks include political influence, espionage through sensor technology, access to security protocols of critical infrastructure and disruption of the energy supply, the experts warn.
The military experts at the Bundeswehr research institution conclude that all measures should be taken to prevent these risks from materializing.
A leading wind manager confirmed to the newspaper that it is now possible to monitor the movements of the German Navy, including submarines, aircraft and naval forces, through offshore sensors. Luxcara, a Hamburg-based company, is the first to have awarded a contract to a Chinese manufacturer, Mingyang, to install 16 wind turbines at Borkum.
Regarding the information technology used, the company stated that they have implemented specific security measures. A spokesperson for Luxcara emphasized that, during the operational phase, Mingyang will not have direct access to the control of the turbines.