Post - Blog
Safeguarding the UK's renewable energy future: the growing cybersecurity threat
- a month ago (2024-11-17)
- Junior Isles
Phil Tonkin, Field CTO at Dragos
WBE 2025
While most press attention and public interest typically go towards large-scale renewable energy plants, in recent years, the UK has seen a significant rise in the development of small-scale wind and solar energy plants to power homes and businesses across the country. These smaller, more localised energy sources rely heavily on digital applications and networks, which while bringing them connectivity and speed benefits, does add an extra layer of cybersecurity risk. Unlike traditional power stations, small renewable plants often lack the financial resources to implement robust cybersecurity measures. Furthermore, their reliance on internet-connected technologies makes them attractive targets for cyberattacks from bad actors.
A common misconception is that hacking a sole small plant would have little impact. In reality, a coordinated attack could have real consequences for the UK’s entire energy network due to the large number of these facilities that exist across the country. Small renewable plants have become integral to the UK’s grid, and a successful attack on several could trigger a domino effect, leading to widespread blackouts – which could cause significant economic and societal impacts, even if only for a short period. Therefore, addressing these vulnerabilities will be key to maintaining a stable and reliable energy supply as the UK transitions to a decentralised energy system.
Why renewable plants are more vulnerable than traditional plants
Small-scale renewable energy plants are more vulnerable to cyberattacks than traditional, large-scale energy plants for several reasons. Firstly, many older, more traditional energy plants have typically been difficult to hack due to their use of legacy technology and offline systems that are not connected to the internet. Many of these legacy systems used are unique to that facility and fairly obscure, making it harder for hackers to understand and exploit their weaknesses. Moreover, many older plants also rely on manual operations and physical controls rather than automated, networked systems. This means that even if an attacker gains access, they may not be able to cause significant disruption without physical presence.
On the other hand, the decentralised nature of renewable projects further increases their risk. These plants are often connected to the internet, using digital systems to manage operations, which creates multiple potential entry points for cybercriminals. While each plant may seem insignificant in isolation, the number of facilities across the UK heightens the overall threat. As more renewable plants, particularly small cooperatives, come online, the number of targets for hackers increases.
Additionally, traditional energy plants – often backed by large multinational energy businesses – typically have substantial financial resources and well-established cybersecurity infrastructures. In contrast, smaller renewable facilities operate on tighter margins, making implementing firewalls and other cybersecurity protections more burdensome.
Need for action
To address these growing risks, renewable energy organizations of all sizes must adopt best practices for OT cybersecurity, including establishing an ICS incident response plan, designing a defensible architecture, ensuring network visibility and monitoring, using secure remote access, and conducting risk-based vulnerability management that is tuned to OT environments. In addition, they should watch for developments by government and regulators that are focused on protecting the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure through cybersecurity standards designed for these facilities, and which ideally should ensure that even the smallest plants are adequately protected against potential cyberattacks.
Collaboration between the private sector and government will be critical in staying ahead of emerging cyber threats. By sharing knowledge, developing best practices, and coordinating responses to risks, stakeholders can ensure that cybersecurity keeps pace with the rapid expansion of the renewable energy sector. The challenge moving forward is to maintain momentum towards renewable energy goals without compromising energy security. Achieving this balance will require careful planning and investment, but the UK can meet its sustainability and security objectives with the right strategies.